Hopes for ban on plastics

Hopes for ban on plastics

23 October 2019

EDUCATION chiefs have been asked to examine new initiatives designed to end single use plastics in schools.

The appeal — issued by South Down MLA Colin McGrath — comes just a matter of weeks after Saul Gaelic Athletic Club revealed that it is banning banning the use of plastic bottles at its St Patrick’s Road home.

Single use bottles will no longer be permitted at the club’s ground, with the ban applying to both members and visitors to all its facilities.

The rural club — which has around 400 members — plans to install an outdoor water filling station and has commissioned a consignment of aluminium water bottles which will be made available to members, bearing the club crest and players’ names.

Mr McGrath hopes that the Department of Education, mindful of the increasing campaign to end single use plastic, will play its part, confirming that he has raised the issue with the government department’s permanent secretary, Derek Baker.

The MLA continued: “We are living through a climate change crisis at present and know that single use plastics are one of the major contributors to that crisis. 

“Whether through poisoning or injuring marine life, litter along our streets and beaches and filling up our seas, we need to radically address our dependence on single use plastics.”

And Mr McGrath has also welcomed Newry Mourne and Down Council’s recent decision to call a climate change emergency. 

“There are decisions that I would like to see taken at an Assembly level. However, due to the ongoing political stalemate, this is not possible. That is why I have written to Mr Baker, suggesting that this issue could be addressed within the education sector.

“I believe that if our schools can cut down their use of such plastics in cups, lids, straws, bottles, bags and cutlery, then this could be a large step along this journey.”

In addition, Mr McGrath said education officials would have an opportunity to educate children as early as possible in why these measures are necessary.  

“This fight is after all about our children’s future,” he continued.

Mr McGrath explained that he also suggested to Mr Baker that the government department could look at an initiative where school children are incentivised to do their bit in the fight against single use plastic and provided with a reusable water bottle with their school colours or something similar.

He added: “These are small steps that we can each take in this fight. 

However, if we can all sign up to doing our bit then I believe and hope that the future for our children will be assured.”