According to one source, over 10 million metric tons of plastic waste end up in the world’s oceans each year. One town in Australia is doing its part to help decrease this number.
The people of Kwinana, Western Australia, were tired of seeing the plastic waste around their city and did something about it. Through a stroke of creative genius, they devised a net that attached to drainpipes which collects plastic waste while allowing water to flow freely.
It’s not much more than a large strainer—it is simple and effective, though not cheap. It costs about $10,000 for one net to be installed in a waterway. The materials are expensive, installation is costly, and the manpower needed to sort the waste for recycling once it is collected is great. Nevertheless, the people in the community feel it is worth the cost; it removed approximately 800 pounds of trash in two weeks.
Plastic around the world is a major problem:
“According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, and as much as 80 percent of that litter is plastic. It is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year—the equivalent of a rubbish or garbage truck load’s worth every minute” (oceancrusaders.org).
The people of Kwinana are another example of how having concern for the environment and the creatures within it can lead to innovation.
It serves as a reminder of our obligation as humans to care for the earth God has created for us. The animals cannot do it, so we are to look after this creation we have been given dominion over. Glory to God for giving these townspeople the wisdom for their creativity.
Source: relieved.co, innerstrengthzone.com
Feature image source: pixabay.com / innerstrengthzone.com