P-05-803 Our natural world is being poisoned by single use plastics...it’s time to introduce a tax! –
Correspondence from Petitioner to Committee, 08.05.18

Dear Assembly Members,

The volunteers of Friends of Barry Beaches would like to register their plea to the National Assembly of Wales to please take action to finally help stop the rising tide of single use plastics entering our marine environment.

Just over a week ago, on the mayday bank holiday, I took a evening walk along the main beach at Barry Island which alas was strewn with single use plastics and other litter (see attached photos). This litter would be picked up by the incoming tide and entering our marine environment...this scene is repeating itself on every popular welsh beach!

This winter I had the opportunity to work for the British Antarctic Survey on one of the most remote islands in the world in the South Orkney islands. Alas the beaches here also had single use plastics amongst the seals and penguins.

We believe that the people of Wales want their elected representatives to finally take action to stop this plastic tide.

These two petitions from FoBB and MCS complement each other as not all single use plastics lend themselves to a deposited return system.

The tax should be made at source to allow biodegradable alternatives to be economically viable.

The whole world is waking up to the damage single use plastics are doing to our natural world. BBC,s Blue Planet has awoken public opinion.

Please make Wales a better and cleaner place by finally taking action.

Rob Curtis

Chairman and co-ordinator of Friends of Barry Beaches