Plastics SA has released a new campaign of radio and television advertisements aimed at driving awareness around the pressing issue of marine litter.  

The adverts, which feature beautiful sounds and images of whales, dolphins and seagulls, take centre stage while the narrator explains that not everything in the sea is as beautiful as the creatures that live in it.

Marine litter receiving global attention

“Carelessly discarded plastic breaks down into small particles that look like food. When eaten, they harm sea creatures from tiny fish to large whales. Be responsible.  Don’t let plastics end up in the ocean,” the voice over says.

Monya Vermaak, marketing and communication executive at Plastics SA’s notes that never before has the issue of plastics in the world’s oceans received so much attention on a global scale.

In 2011 Plastics SA signed The Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter, also known as the “Joint Declaration” in 2011. “According to this declaration, we are committed to doing everything in our power to help protect our marine life from plastic and other packaging materials which are threatening their natural habitats and therefore also their survival,” explains Vermaak.

Effective solutions need to be developed

“Marine litter is a global problem that needs to be tackled on a global scale. Effective solutions that prevent all types of litter from entering the oceans need to be developed. Plastics are valuable and make modern life convenient and easy, but they need to enter the recycling stream to maintain their value and be kept out of the environment. We are confident that our new adverts will help to drive the message home even further,” Vermaak concludes.

According to the organisation the adverts will be broadcast on various television channels and selected radio stations over the next few months to ensure maximum coverage.  The campaign has also been adapted for printed media and will be shared on Plastics SA’s various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.