Waste brings death in ocean

MAJOR TASK: Volunteers work on the waste collection operation at the Masters Games in Wanganui. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

THE human population is now approximately seven billion and still increasing: one of the biggest problems this civilisation faces is that of the disposal of waste.

Plastic in the oceans is increasing at the rate of 6.4 million tonnes a year. This has led to the creation of huge gyres, some twice the size of Texas, full of plastic particles. An ocean gyre is a system of circular ocean currents formed by the Earth's wind patterns and the forces created by rotation of the planet.

Plastic kills marine and avian life, and leads to "dead" areas in the sea. Plastic does not biodegrade. It does deteriorate into small particles. It also absorbs toxic chemicals which can kill anything that eats it. Nearly all albatross have been found to contain plastic in the digestive system, and one third of their chicks are dying because they are fed plastic by the parents. Recent research into the chemical additives in plastics have been linked to problems associated with human health. A change to paper bags has been discussed and would seem to be urgent.

On land, in 1995 there were 327 landfills in New Zealand, often sited near water sources and often with toxic contents. This has now been reduced to less than 100.

One of the best results to come out of the green and environmental movement in response to climate change has been the waste disposal and minimisation activities. In Melbourne, every house has three bins, household rubbish is picked up every week, and one other bin for recycling or green waste. It is the same in many other countries.

Members of Sustainable Whanganui have visited schools. Although some adults are still slow to join the recyclers, most children are not. When the reasons for avoiding waste are explained, they are quick to realise the benefits and happy to adopt recycling as a way of life.

At the Springvale Park venue for the New Zealand Masters Games this month, there was an army of volunteers between 6am and 8.30am every day, helping to sort and take away waste generated from the day before.

This was organised by Nelson Lebo of ECO Schools and Hadi Gurton from Sustainable Whanganui, assisted by Stuart Hilton from the Whanganui District Council. They were helped by a wonderful band of volunteers - notably Philip McConkey and Nichola X.

This was a major task. Not all could be recycled, since some bags were filled with a mixture of materials, but most of it was taken to the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre.

The amounts were impressive - approximate totals in 240-litre wheelie bins were: 22 bins plastics; 45 bins glass; 13 bins organics/compost and 2sq m cardboard. A total of 80 wheelie bins, that would otherwise have gone to landfill. A great achievement, everyone!

Sara Dickon is a foundation member of Sustainable Whanganui.