Student wants your views on plastic

A student from Rochdale wants to hear your views on plastic for his dissertation research project.

Tom Jones, 60, a final year Business Management mature student at the University of Bolton, is asking: "Can we change behaviour and attitudes towards plastic now and in the future?"

Since the 1950s, approximately 8.3 billion metric tonnes of plastic have been produced. Of this, just 9% is recycled, with an eye-opening 79% having been thrown away. The rest is incinerated – and, it is estimated by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish on the planet. 

A vast amount of plastic waste ends up in waterways and oceans, breaking down into microplastics, tiny fragments (<5mm) of plastic particles, which can be ingested by marine life. 

Aside from the finite landfill space, plastic is a blight on the very environment it pollutes, estimated to take anywhere up to 1,000 years for plastic to decompose in landfill.

Mr Jones said: “I decided to look more closely at plastic as I feel that we are not getting the full facts on the issue. People's knowledge of the subject appears to have large gaps regarding its long-term effect upon our planet and also its impact upon our food chain.

“I will also be looking at what Rochdale is doing regarding this issue. You only have to walk around Rochdale to see the major problem that we face and what we may leave the next generation.”

Mr Jones also hopes to put together a focus group from the local community with a survey, available both online and as a paper copy. A presentation will also be emailed to respondents.

He added: “I welcome comments from the public, businesses and other organisations connected to plastic use and recycling. I hope to produce a piece of research that deals with the facts with a conclusion and recommendations that are hard-hitting and challenging, leading to a commitment for further research at PHD level.

“The next generation deserves to have this information that can help them to make those changes in behaviour and attitudes.”

To contribute towards Mr Jones’ dissertation, email:

plasticrecycle2018@gmail.com

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Read more about the plastic crisis: 

• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/120401/our-guide-to-recyclingsingleuse-plastics
• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115280/tony-lloyd-welcomes-war-on-plastic
• https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/115049/binning-the-plastic