Nottingham City Council wants local people to get involved in the Great Plastic Pick Up, a Keep Britain Tidy initiative taking place on 11-13 May.
Nationwide, people will be turning the tide on plastic by coming together to clear rubbish from our streets and beauty spots.
Plastic on Nottingham streets ends up in streams and rivers, and so can end up in the sea. To sea turtles plastic bags in the water can look like jellyfish, while plastic floating on the surface can appear to be a tasty snack for a seagull. With more than eight million tonnes going into the oceans every year, it is estimated there will be more plastic than fish by 2050 and 99 per cent of all the seabirds on the planet will have consumed some.
People across Nottingham can make a difference by sparing just a few hours to collect plastic and dispose of it safely, putting their collected plastic into their recycling bins at home or take it to their local recycling centre.
Cllr Sally Longford, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Local Transport at Nottingham City Council, said “Lots of people became more aware after the recent Blue Planet series that plastic is a worldwide problem. If we all take action locally, we can make a difference. Nottingham City Council is committed to tackling litter in our neighbourhoods and encourages everyone around the city to play their part by considering how to reduce their use of plastic, disposing of it sensibly and picking up as much plastic they can.”
For more information on how to support the effort visit www.greatplasticpickup.org