MP Bob Seely has submitted written questions to the government to ask what steps are being taken to tackle the international problem of ocean plastic pollution. Mr Seely has previously discussed the problem of ‘nurdle’ pollution on Brook Beach with Island environmental group Planet Aware.
Nurdles are small plastic pellets which are used as a raw material in the manufacture of plastic products.
Mr Seely asked two questions, the first about the merits of classifying nurdles as a hazardous shipment and the second about the steps being taken to tackle nurdle pollution in the marine environment.
Mr Seely’s full questions are below:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has made representations to the International Maritime Organisation on the potential merits of classifying pre-production plastic pellets, nurdles, as a hazardous shipment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle pre-production plastic pellet, nurdle, pollution in the marine environment.
Mr Seely said he hoped to build on the previous steps the government has taken to reducing plastic pollution. These include a world first ban on the sale of products containing microbeads’, restricting single-use items such as plastic straws, pledging to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042, and establishing the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance.
Mr Seely said: “The government has a good record when it comes to tackling plastic pollution, but there is always more to do, and it is clear that nurdles in particular are a worldwide problem so I want to see what more we can be doing to help tackle this problem.”
Mr Seely said he would keep Islanders updated via his Facebook page and regular newsletter.
