AN MSP who led Scotland’s campaign to successfully make plastic straws a thing of the past is continuing to fight single-use plastics in her own constituency.
Kate Forbes, a Highlands and Islands MSP, began the Final Straw campaign last year, in a bid to curb the use of plastic straws in favour of the more environmental paper variation – with the Scottish Government now expected to ban the plastic version by the end of 2019.
“It is particularly important [to combat plastic pollution] in a rural constituency like mine, which has miles of beautiful coastline that is increasingly being spoiled by litter washing up on the beach. Like anywhere else, we have just as much of a challenge in terms of changing behaviour when it comes to plastics but it’s our rural communities that are left facing the consequences of everybody else’s overuse of single use plastics,” she said.
“Whilst tourism and visitors is certainly a factor in fighting single-use plastics, it is by no means the only reason. Ultimately, we all have a responsibility to care for this planet and the unseen consequences on wildlife, particularly sea life, in my constituency is very damaging.
“As an MSP for the Highlands, I believe we’ve got a duty and responsibility to use resources in a sustainable way and we are more blessed than many in enjoying such beauty.”
In the past year, photos of land animals tangled in discarded plastic have emerged from areas in Kate’s constituency.
“Sadly, it’s far more common in my experience than we hear. If some of the images that we’ve seen, for example of deer tangled in plastic, shock us then how much would the many images that won’t be seen shock us?
“Obviously, sea life is largely hidden and in a vast area like the Highlands much will go unseen. I believe it is far more common, but these images do hopefully give people a sense of reality.”
Work is ongoing to ensure the environment and wildlife are protected in the Highlands, with Kate citing education as a means of ensuring a change in attitude towards plastics.
“Currently, my efforts are very much local, starting in schools. I visit as many primary and secondary schools as I can, and this issue [of single-use plastics] is nearly always on the agenda. Changing behaviour is one answer, as is putting pressure on manufacturers and retailers who make conscious choices about packaging.”
