Falmouth Campaigners to Join National Protest Against Plastic Pollution on 19th July

Community clean planned as part of national day of action

Campaigners in Falmouth are preparing to take part in a nationwide protest this Saturday, 19th July, calling on the Government to act on plastic pollution.

The event is part of The People vs Plastic campaign by Surfers Against Sewage, with protestors across the UK joining a National Day of Action to demand urgent action on single-use plastics. The pressure comes ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, which resume in Geneva from 5th to 14th August.

Falmouth joins nationwide effort

Locally, Emma from Plastic Free Falmouth is leading a community protest walk from Gyllyngvase Beach to Castle Beach, collecting litter along the way. She said:

“We are so lucky to have a fantastic network of people protecting our environment here in Falmouth, but we are up against ever increasing tides of plastic pollution on our beaches, and it has to stop. We would love if everyone in Falmouth could join us for the walk show the government that we want change. Come dress as your most hated pointless plastic or just join us for the walk!”

The protest is just one of many happening across the UK. From beach cleans to school “Trash Mobs,” communities are taking matters into their own hands in what Surfers Against Sewage describes as a growing movement.

Global Plastics Treaty talks resume soon

The timing of the protest is no coincidence. Last year’s treaty negotiations collapsed in South Korea, with countries failing to agree on reducing plastic production. With talks reconvening next month in Geneva, campaigners want the UK Government to step up and take a leading role.

Surfers Against Sewage is urging the Government to:

• Set legally binding targets to cut plastic pollution

• Support a circular economy based on reuse and refill, including a proper Deposit Return Scheme

• Make polluters pay through Extended Producer Responsibility laws

Community cleans already making an impact

According to Surfers Against Sewage, over 88,000 people have taken part in more than 3,600 community cleans already this year, collecting over 40,000kg of rubbish as part of their Million Mile Clean programme.

Data from this Saturday’s actions will help the charity map out the true scale of the problem and identify the brands most responsible.

There are now more than 400 Plastic Free Communities and over 3,000 Plastic Free Schools involved in the fight against plastic, showing the strength of grassroots support across the country.

“We’re rising up too”

Surfers Against Sewage Chief Executive Giles Bristow said:

“Broken promises, stalled progress, surging pollution. We are drowning in the toxic tide of plastic that continues to rise. Enough is enough, so we are rising up too.

“We’re sick to death of plastic-pushing corporations fuelling this crisis while spinning greenwashing lies and pointing the finger at consumers. They churn out mountains of non-recyclable packaging, sabotage vital policies behind closed doors, and consistently miss every voluntary target.

“That’s why, on Saturday 19 July, as the school holidays get underway, we’re calling on Ocean Activists from Penzance to Porthcawl and everywhere in between to make their voices heard. Whether you’re clearing your favourite beach or marching through city streets, communities hold the power to drive change.”

Want to get involved?

To find out where your nearest protest is or how you can take part in the National Week of Action, head to the Surfers Against Sewage website.

You can also show support by joining your local Plastic Free Community and signing the petition on the campaign page to push for Government action.