Our actions have implications for pollution in the ocean, which in turn impacts our health and welfare. We need to move away from a throwaway society to a circular economy in which all products are designed to be repaired, reused and remade, thereby removing waste and litter.
The Clean Seas programme has been a leader in reducing marine pollution over the last decade. We have advocated for change which has led to charges for single-use bags, removal of microbeads in personal care products, changes in labelling on commonly ‘mis-flushed’ items, and a deposit return system being designed for Scotland.
Our oceans continue to need our protection, with rising temperatures and changes in chemistry due to our carbon emissions. We need to reduce the pressures on our oceans.