A north-east aquarium has teamed up with other facilities around the world to tackle the blight of plastic pollution.
Macduff Marine Aquarium has joined a coalition of aquariums known as ‘World aquariums #ReadyToChange to #BeatPlasticPollution’.
Working in association with the European Commission, the UN and other organisations, the goal is to raise public awareness of the global plastic crisis with at least 200 aquariums participating by the end of this year.
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Partners will engage with sponsors and non-governmental organisations to promote plastic reduction.
As one of the north-east’s leading attractions, Macduff Marine Aquarium is eager to reduce the hazardous waste along with other wildlife centres.
Aquarium learning officer Marie Dare said: “Plastic is practically indestructible.
“We have evolved into a throw away culture, but it has become apparent there is no ‘away’.
“We all need to cut down on plastic consumption and recycle what we do use in order to avoid plastic entering the environment in the first place.
“We are very lucky to have recycling facilities at our doorsteps, because there are many parts of the world where there is no mechanism to dispose of waste.
“We will be encouraging our visitors to consider their use of plastic and to understand the impact we all have on our marine environment – and that, together, we can be part of the solution.”
So far, 107 aquariums from 33 countries have joined the coalition.
Energy firm TAQA is joining forces with the aquarium to introduce new awareness-raising workshops as part of a formal 2019 education programme for school children on how plastic persists and affects marine environments.
Senior environmental advisor at TAQA Natasha Dolecki said: “Having already supported the aquarium to reduce its energy usage through implementation of LED lighting in 2017, we’re delighted to continue our support to highlight the problem of plastics.
“We hope that, through taking part in fun learning programmes at the aquarium, local schoolchildren will be inspired to act and help tackle this issue.”
The aquarium will also be assessing its retail suppliers and sourcing recycled plastic and goods with minimal packaging wherever possible.
