These volunteers in the streets of Lagos in Nigeria are
collecting bags,
bottles and packaging of all kinds.
The initiative was set up to mark the UN's international
Mother Earth Day.
The aim in 2024 is to draw attention to plastic
pollution.
We don't have to wait for days like the World
Earth Day for us to become more conscious of our
environment.
This planet is all we have,
and if we don't put our hands together for us
to ensure a sustainable future,
no one else will.
Ingesting tiny plastic particles is linked to a wide range
of health problems,
including an increased risk of cancer,
lower fertility and lung disease.
Plastic is also a danger to nature.
In Phuket in Thailand, these divers are searching for and
removing plastic fishing Nets.
We constantly collect discarded fishing gear.
We have a big scuba diving community.
We have many government sectors working on this cleanup drive.
However, even though there is a collection of waste,
there is no uniform data collection.
A lack of strategy at local and global level is
hindering efforts.
Another campaigner, president of the advocacy group Beyond Plastics in
the United States,
says every individual effort counts.
Only 5 to 6% of plastics are recyclable in the
United States,
so your key tip is to try to avoid plastic
wherever you can.
5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.
Half of all plastic produced is designed for single use
purposes.
The task to rein it in is huge.