The countryside and plastic pollution

While out exploring the fields that surround my village a couple of weeks ago I came across a flock of sheep and their baby lambs. I know. Cute.

I adore all animals and lambs are no exception so I did what any one else who loves animals might do and I took a photo. The darling little thing seemed very happy to have his or her picture taken after which, we both went on our way. Me snapping fields and trees, the lamb competing against its sibling for the prime seat at the dinner table.

It wasn’t until I got home and looked at my photos I discovered something sinister. Surrounding the gorgeous swirly-haired thing was at least half a dozen pieces of rubbish. Plastic. My idyllic countryside shot of new life in springtime suddenly became a postcard for the plight of our wildlife and oceans in the face of plastic pollution.

The chatter about plastic pollution is now everywhere, and rightly so. Our throw-away society has to change.

We’re seeing major supermarkets and coffee chains start to take steps to reduce their plastic consumption. Heck, even the government is talking about implementing (new) plastic bottle return schemes – those that have been in full effect in many European countries including Sweden and Germany for decades.

I try to do my bit; considering need over want when it comes to convenience food and drink when I’m out and about, reusing, recycling, switching to eco-friendlier products. And yet, every time a wrapper whizzes around my feet or I see an empty Lucozade bottle in the hedgerow while driving, my heart sinks.

There’s so much to do. I just hope we’re up to the challenge because while the lamb in the field may not pay too much attention to the plastic wrapping at its feet, other animals are choking on the stuff.