According to the Wildlife Trust, every year, an estimated 8 million tonnes of litter enters the world’s oceans. Maybe you watched David Attenborough and understand that plastic threatens marine wildlife by breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces, and enters the food chain, working its way up from the tiniest plankton into the bodies of sharks, whales and dolphins.
The canal in Lymm which does eventually end up in the sea.
But we aren't near the sea in Lymm I hear you say - so I did a little bit of research into impacts on land dwelling animals of litter. Animals like hedgehogs, foxes and birds frequently suffer injuries as a result of getting caught up in waste. Some of the ways that our wildlife suffers:
Plastic bottles, and jars. These can smell good, often nice and sweet but not so sweet when an animal gets stuck inside.
Thankfully this fox had a happy ending and was rescued from this pasty packet.
Cans, can be tempting for both food and for shade. Again there is an entrapment risk, as well as the danger of cuts from the sharp metal.
Plastic bags can be confused for food. This is either a choking risk, or can cause obstruction of their stomach or bowel. I unfortunately remember being quite disturbed after a well publicised death of a horse caused by consumption of dog poo bags.
Cute lambs surrounded by discarded doggie doo bags.
Fishing lines and hooks, a popular sport on a Sunday on the canal, are dangerous to birds, who can get tangled in them and hooked.
Chewing gum, which animals tread in, can become matted in their feathers or fur, making movement or flight difficult.
In the course of my research I also learnt there are some risks from things that go into your bin at home too. Take a moment to help animals before you bin it.
Tie a knot in the top of plastic bags to help prevent injury and death.
Cut all of the loops of plastic six-pack can holders to avoid animals’ necks getting stuck in them.
Switch to biodegradable balloons and cut them up into pieces before binning them.
Cut elastic bands before placing them in the bin to prevent animals from getting stuck in them.
Crush all cans and pull the tab back to cover the hole before you send them for recycling.
Wash and crush your plastic containers before popping them in the blue bin (or whatever colour your recycling us)
Always wash glass jars and place lids back on before recycling.
It’s a sad fact that with the way our consumption habits have developed that our wildlife has more challenges than ever to survive and thrive. So, if, when you perform some of these simple actions at home or if you pick up a discarded can or soft drink bottle, just think…… you might just have saved the life of a little animal.