Have you ever dropped litter? Only 28% of people will admit do doing so, however it is estimated that 62% of people in England frequently drop litter. It seems the problem is getting worse, with 30 million tonnes of litter collected from the streets each year! That’s enough to fill Wembley Stadium four times!
You may believe that litter is just an unpleasant sight, but it has further implications on the environment than just poor aesthetics. The RSPCA state that they receive over 5,000 calls a year regarding injuries to wildlife caused by litter. Animals often attempt to eat litter mistaking it for food. This creates health problems for animals; such as depleting their nutrients and blocking their stomachs and intestines. Also, it is common for animals to get caught in litter, especially plastic bags and the plastic rings found around drinks cans.
More worryingly, litter doesn’t just stay where it is dropped; 80% of litter found in the ocean comes from the land. The UN estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean. One third of fish in the English Channel that are for human consumption contain small pieces of plastic, which could potentially lead to health problems.
Litter can also contribute to water pollution, causing toxins to enter the environment. This can have implications for both the public and wildlife. Toxins can also enter the soil and can potentially affect plant and crop growth.
To a large variety of animals the canal network is their home but with the increasing amount of rubbish entering the environment, they are becoming more at risk of being harmed by the litter that we create. That’s why at ‘Plog on Canals’ we believe that is our responsibility to help clean up the canals, so they can continue to provide a safe home for nature.
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