North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson joined The Women’s Institute and The Marine Conservation Society to learn more about common forms of microplastic pollution.
The event, held in Westminster, was part of World Oceans Day, which aims to raise awareness of our oceans and marine wildlife.
The focus of the event was the effect that micro-plastics have on our oceans. It’s estimated that 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, with nearly a million tonnes going into the sea as “primary microplastics.”. The microplastics may be from products we use every day such as cosmetics, fibres from fishing gear and the clothes we wear, and even from our car tyres.
Justin Tomlinson said: “Tackling the scourge of plastic pollution is a very important issue, and I am very pleased to support the Marine Conservation Society and Women’s Institute’s campaign to raise awareness of the problem. I am very proud of the work the Government is doing to address the microplastic problem, helping the UK to be the first country in the world to ban the sale and manufacture of beauty products containing microplastics.”
