Articles in this collection include:

1. Government announce a national litter strategy
2. OSPAR Partnership on eliminating micro-plastics in the marine environment
3. EU Circular economy
4. Scotland to Research Further Into Deposit Return Schemes
5. Seabin – device for collecting marine litter from enclosed areas

1.  Government announce a national litter strategy

Eventually … Government responds   The measures were announced as part of the government’s response to a select committee report on littering.

Defra & Decc ‘The government will launch a national clampdown on litter louts to liberate the country from trash and protect our neighbourhoods from becoming rubbish dumps. Communities Minister Marcus Jones and Environment Minister Rory Stewart today (5 December 2015) sent a warning to those blighting England with litter that their selfish behaviour will no longer be tolerated.

They revealed work will begin on a first-ever national litter strategy to put in place a coherent clean-up plan for England. The ministers were clear this is a priority for our communities who deserve a lasting legacy of clutter-free towns, cities and countryside. In order to galvanise a collective sense of responsibility over the issue, the government will for the first time work with town halls, campaign groups and businesses – including fast food firms and manufacturers of chewing gum, confectionary and soft drinks – to ensure a coherent and joined-up approach.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministers-move-to-rid-the-land-of-litter-scourge

2.  OSPAR Partnership on eliminating micro-plastics in the marine environment

Small fragments of plastic are so prevalent in the North East Atlantic that it is now critical that sectors come together to tackle the problem at source if further damage to the marine environment is to be limited. Microplastics are now found in all the world’s major oceans as well as in the guts of most marine species, including the seafood we eat. Due to the nature of micro-plastics, removal of the particles from the sea is not feasible. However, hope lies in the identification and elimination of some of the major inputs of plastic waste long before it reaches the oceans. This challenge is set to be the subject of a policy conference, organised by the OSPAR Commission and supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment of the Netherlands has been held. Industry representatives met with key policy makers, NGOs and experts to discuss potential measures to reduce microplastic emissions from sources as diverse as paints, abrasive cleaning agents, clothing and tyres. The conference will identify and prioritise concrete measures to stem the flow of microplastics from land-based sources that end up in the marine environment.

OSPAR’s Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (http://www.ospar.org/documents?v=7370) focuses on the development of regionally coordinated reduction/operational targets for specific sources and items of marine litter along with monitoring and assessment and strengthening cooperation with other relevant regional and international organisations and industry.

3.  Litter & circular economy

A Guardian article on this important idea – as usual lots of links – on the recent EU Circular Economy package. Click here to read this. 

4.  Scotland to Research Further Into Deposit Return Schemes

CIWM ‘Scotland’s Environment Secretary, Richard Lochhead, has commissioned further research into deposit return schemes, which “attach a value to items that can otherwise be viewed as waste”.  Retailer costs and the implications for small stores need further consideration before a decision is reached on a deposit return scheme for Scotland, Lochhead has said, following a Zero Waste Scotland report identifying some of the issues involved in setting up and operating such a system. The report summarises evidence from deposit return experts and operators from other countries as well as drinks companies and trade bodies, retailers and logistics companies, environmental organisations and local government. The Environment Secretary confirmed he has commissioned further research from Zero Waste Scotland – and intends to discuss the issues further with other Ministers from across the UK.

http://www.ciwm-journal.co.uk/scotland-to-research-further-into-deposit-return-schemes/

5.  Seabin – device for collecting marine litter from enclosed areas 

Not cheap but a practical idea for helping to remove marine litter. Environmental impact?

http://www.surfertoday.com/environment/12473-seabin-the-worlds-smartest-marine-litter-collector