Australia Reveals Brilliant New Ways They're Removing Trash from Water Supply
“We don’t fully understand plastic’s long-term impact on wildlife,” a National Geographic article reported in June 2018.
The article explored the world of plastics we live in, discussing the effects of our waste on the planet’s wildlife population.
For instance, a biologist was captured on video showcasing the gruesome effect of a plastic straw lodged in a sea turtle’s nostril.
We’ve seen the photos, of course. Images of animals walking in piles of garbage or helpless to remove the plastic wrapped around their necks.
Some areas are striving to reverse this problem. In September 2018, California became the first state to impose a “Straw Law.”
According to CNBC, Assembly Bill 1884 will make it illegal for full-service restaurants to automatically give out plastic straws to customers come Jan. 1, 2019.
“It is a very small step to make a customer who wants a plastic straw ask for it,” California Gov. Jerry Brown told CNBC. “And it might make them pause and think again about an alternative.”
Other countries are doing their part to reduce the effects of plastic waste on the environment, too. Australia is being recognized for an innovative way they’re keeping their water cleaner.
The West Australian reported the City of Kwinana has been using trial drainage nets to separate waste from water.
“The nets capture gross pollutants carried by stormwater from the local road network before those pollutants are discharged and contaminate the natural environment at the downstream end of the outlet area,” Kwinana’s mayor, Carol Adams, said.
The filters have been in place at two locations since March 2018, Surfer Today reported. Six months later, in August, 815 pounds of trash were said to be collected.
“After seeing the nets in action in other local government areas, the City determined the net to be the most cost-effective and safest option,” Adams told Surfer Today.
It is important to note that as of August “no wildlife has been caught up in either of the City’s nets,” Adams told Community News.
Wow! What a great idea, and it appears to be pretty effective. Perhaps the United States ought to consider trying out something like this!
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