The Manx Wildlife Trust, the Island’s leading nature conservation charity, recently launched its Wave Goodbye to Waste campaign at a beach clean and litter art event in Port St Mary.

The purpose of the campaign is to highlight the problems caused by marine litter and, in particular, to encourage members of the public to reduce the number of plastic carrier bags that they use.  The Trust’s Marine Officer, Lara Howe, said, “Discarded plastic, single-use carrier bags, old fishing line and rope – all of this litter is unsightly on our beautiful beaches and it’s also hurting our wildlife and potentially damaging our own health too.”

According to research carried out by the Manx Wildlife Trust, the average family uses 300 plastic shopping bags per year, the vast majority of which are only used once and take up to 100 years to decompose.  Perhaps not surprisingly, plastic is the most common form of litter found on beaches and over 180 species of animals globally, such as birds, mammals, fish and invertebrates, are known to have ingested some form of plastic.  In addition, more than 145 species of marine animals globally have been reported entangled in marine litter.

The campaign launch event in Port St Mary started with a beach clean, kindly supported by Beach Buddies.  12 bags of litter were gathered from the harbour area in just over 1 hour.  Following analysis by members of the Manx Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Watch Rangers – a dedicated nature conservation group for young people, aged 11 to 16 years – it was found that a high proportion of the litter comprised miscellaneous plastic items.  When the Rangers were asked how they felt about the amount of marine litter in our seas, responses included, “It makes me feel sad and disappointed that we have the power to stop this from happening but it still goes on anyway” and put more simply, “Rubbish!”

After the beach clean, the event continued at Port St Mary town hall where children were able to make models from old, clean discarded items – yoghurt pots, milk cartons, cereal packets etc. – to reinforce the message about recycling waste.  The Trust’s Biodiversity Education Officer, Dawn Dickens, also told everyone about an exciting design competition, open to children between the ages of 4 and 18 years.

Entrants are asked to design a logo for a reusable bag to encourage people not to use single-use plastic carrier bags, with the artwork to be in keeping with the Wave Goodbye to Waste campaign theme.  Wildlife-related prizes, generously sponsored by Colas (IOM) Ltd, will be awarded for the best design from each of three age group categories, together with goody bags also kindly donated by Colas.  One overall winner will then be selected and their design will be printed on to actual reusable bags that will be sold in the Wildlife Shop in Peel.

Ian Dunbar, Executive Director, Colas (IOM) Ltd said, “The way everyone interacts with the environment, whether it be in a social or a working capacity, has a direct impact on the future of the Island.  So, Colas were only too happy to help provide support to this project and ensure that the future of the Island lies in safe hands.”

More information about the Wave Goodbye to Waste campaign and the design competition may be found on the Trust’s website www.manxwt.org.uk where entry forms may also be downloaded.  Watch out too for the Wave Goodbye to Waste road show that will be visiting local libraries, town halls and various other venues shortly.  

Photo - L-R - Anne Marie Kilgallon, MWT’s Fundraising and Wildlife Advocacy Officer and Ian Dunbar, Executive Director, Colas (IOM) Ltd with the design competition prizes.