Preventing Plastic Pollution
Understanding attitudes towards plastic in rivers and on the coast
We are Preventing Plastic Pollution: an ambitious cross-channel partnership aiming to tackle plastic pollution hotspots in the channel.
Working in partnership with 18 organisations from across France and England, we seek to understand and reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in the marine environment. By looking at the journey of plastic from source to sea, the project will pinpoint pollution hotspots, encourage behavioural change in local communities and businesses, and implement effective solutions to the plastics crisis.
In order to find out more about your perception of plastic pollution, we carried out a survey earlier this year. We've gathered data from over 600 respondents located in England and France, which we have collated in this report to outline the different ways in which we view—and combat—plastic pollution.
Want to find out more about us? Visit our website .
How common is using rivers and coasts for leisure?
We're fighting back against marine plastic pollution by tackling it at its source. We all know that protecting our natural environment is important, but we wanted to find out exactly how many of you use rivers and coasts for leisure. We were stunned by the results! This just goes to show how valuable blue spaces are - particularly when you take into account their benefits for mental and physical health .
How do people perceive plastic pollution?
This next section explores how the general public perceive plastic pollution in rivers and along the coast. We look at which groups bear the most responsibility,
Concern isn't shared equally
When it comes to our concern about plastic pollution, not all water bodies are equal! A greater number of respondents considered themselves 'extremely concerned' about plastic in the ocean than about plastic in rivers.
Considering that rivers act as pathways for plastic pollution reaching the ocean, it seems there is a disconnect in our perception of the effects rivers have on wider ecosystems.
Who bears responsibility?
The majority of respondents felt that the general public currently shoulder the burden for reducing plastic pollution.
- 41% of people answered the general public
- 20% answered plastic-producing industries
- 16% answered environmental organisations/NGOs
- 11% answered the national government
- 8% answered retailers who sell plastic products
- 4% answered the local council
A shift in responsibility
In contrast to the previous question, the majority of respondents believe that plastic-producing industries should be the ones to bear responsibility for plastic pollution - rather than the general public.
- 42% of people answered plastic-producing industries
- 23% answered the national government
- 20% answered the general public
- 13% answered retailers who sell plastic products
- 1% answered the local council
- Less than 1% answered environmental organisations/NGOs
Who does plastic hurt?
Although plastic-producing industries are seen as holding the most responsibility for plastic pollution, our survey respondents believe that it's the general public who suffer its effects.
- 77% answered the general public
- 10% answered environmental organisations/NGOs
- 5% answered the local council
- 4% of people answered plastic-producing industries
- 2% answered retailers who sell plastic products
- 1% answered the national government
Plastic concerns
We asked respondents to select their top three concerns about the potential impacts of plastic pollution. The leading concern was the impact plastic pollution may have on wildlife - coming before the impact on human health!
- 'The impact of plastic pollution on wildlife' was selected 570 times
- 'The impact on human health' was selected 408 times
- 'The cost of clean up' was selected 223 times
- 'The impact on enjoyment of visitors' was selected 116 times
- 'The impact on fishing and boats' was selected 110 times
- 'The impact on tourism' was selected 19 times
Small steps to prevent plastic pollution
We asked respondents to tell us the steps they have taken to reduce plastic pollution. Recycling at home was the top answer, just in front of using reusable shopping bags. Imagine the difference we could make if everyone made just a few small changes!
- 'Recycling at home' was selected 575 times
- 'Use reusable shopping bags' was selected 572 times
- 'Use a reusable bottle' was selected 532 times
- 'Recycle while out and about' was selected 449 times
- 'Try to avoid items packaged in plastic' was selected 438 times
- 'Encourage friends and family to take action against plastic pollution' was selected 336 times
- 'Litter pick when out and about' was selected 305 times
- 'Encourage plastic reduction at work' was selected 248 times
- 'Volunteer with environmental organisations/NGOs' was selected 95 times
Why reduce plastic?
We wanted to understand what drives people to reduce their plastic consumption. The top answer was a feeling that it is morally wrong to have plastic polluting nature. Other top answers included seeing plastic pollution firsthand, watching nature documentaries, and reading scientific research.
- 'A feeling that it is morally wrong to have plastic polluting nature' was selected 417 times
- 'Seeing plastic pollution firsthand' was selected 382 times
- 'Nature documentaries (e.g. Blue Planet)' was selected 317 times
- 'Scientific research' was selected 249 times
- 'News stories' was selected 217 times
- 'Campaigns by environmental organisations/NGOs' was selected 189 times
- 'Discussions about plastic pollution with friends and family' was selected 160 times
- 'Additional charges for plastic items (such as single use cups or plastic bags)' was selected 86 times
Does convenience come first?
As much as plastic is a scourge on the environment, it could be argued that the level of convenience it provides is more important. However, 89% of our respondents believe that the uses we get out of plastic materials do not outweigh their negative effects.
515 respondents selected anywhere between slightly agree to totally agree, 27 respondents selected anywhere between slightly disagree to totally disagree, and 38 respondents were neutral.
A growing problem
77% of our respondents agreed that the quantity of litter along rivers, in estuaries and on the coast is increasing. This is a worrying statistic—and really demonstrates the urgency of projects like Preventing Plastic Pollution.
63 respondents selected anywhere from slightly disagree to totally disagree, 444 respondents selected anywhere from slightly agree to totally agree, and 73 respondents were neutral.
Urgency is needed
86% of people see plastic pollution as a present environmental threat, rather than one to be dealt with in the future. This demonstrates that real urgency is needed in the fight against plastic pollution - and we hope to play a key role in this fight.
500 respondents selected anywhere from slightly disagree to totally disagree, 58 respondents selected anywhere from slightly agree to totally agree, and 22 respondents were neutral.
We need local action
Plastic pollution is often painted as a problem for far flung countries—but thankfully, it seems as if awareness of our own situation is increasing. 99% of people disagreed that plastic problem was a problem elsewhere, but not in their own country.
500 respondents selected anywhere from slightly disagree to totally disagree, 6 respondents selected anywhere from slightly agree to totally agree, and 1 respondent was neutral.
Next steps to take
Are you interested in finding out more about Preventing Plastic Pollution or supporting our work? There are a number of ways to get involved.
- Pick a Pledge: we're campaigning for people to 'Pick a Pledge' against plastic this year. By vowing to eliminate just one form of single use plastic from your life, you could make a huge difference in our fight against plastic pollution. View our activity page to find out more.
- Follow us: follow us on social media ( Facebook , Instagram and Twitter ) to stay up to date with the latest news in plastics.
- Attend our events: when Covid-19 restrictions have eased, we hope to offer a variety of different events. Whether you fancy a litter pick or want to attend a virtual webinar, keep an eye on our events calendar to find out more.
