Anne Newton, parishioner of Nun’s Cross Church, Killiskey Parish, Ashford, Co Wicklow shares eco tips, published in their monthly church announcements sheet, with her parish and the following is particularly appropriate as the theme of this year’s Earth Day is ‘End Plastic Pollution’.
Anne writes: ‘Most of us will have heard the recent reports about the extent of plastic pollution, particularly in oceans. There are the obvious signs, where plastic containers are thrown out and collect in gyres (large scale eddies) far out to sea or are washed ashore, despoiling coastlines. However, there are other more insidious ways in which our oceans are affected. Fish ingest small pieces of plastic, which can fill their stomachs so that they can actually starve as they cannot then eat sufficient nutritious food. Additionally, micro plastics increasingly are being shown to pollute the seas and their fauna. These micro plastics are present in products as diverse as, for example, cosmetics and fleece jumpers; when the latter are washed, the micro plastics can end up far out to sea following disposal through waste pipes.
These days, it is nigh on impossible NOT to use plastics, but we can, indeed must, reduce our use of them. Some nations are already banning the use of one-off plastic cups; we can all follow suit ourselves. Look at all the plastic containers at home and see if some changes can be made – bars of soap instead of hand wash and shower gel is one example. Set yourself a target to cut down on their use in the next few months. Good habits stick.’