The community of North Ronaldsay have come up with an innovative approach to the plastic in the island.
They have taken their regular litter picking to a new level and have formed a social enterprise (Transition North Ronaldsay) aimed at recycling the plastic that builds up either in their own homes or is washed ashore on their beaches where it is not only unsightly but a threat to wildlife and the unique seaweed eating sheep.
Precious Plastic North Ronaldsay has launched a crowdfund and is trying to raise £9,000. Its aim is to :
build a plastic recycling centre, transform our beach plastic waste into new products and turn the problem into a solution.
The islanders have been going out in all weathers every Sunday keeping their beaches plastic free. They have a huge problem in that Orkney Islands Council does not support communal plastic recycling skips on North Ronaldsay.
The waste would be shipped to Shetland where it is incinerated. That’s a lot of transport on ferries that are themselves big polluters.
The islanders want to have their own plastic recycling centre on North Ronaldsay where they can process all that beach and household plastic into useful objects. And of course this in turn provides employment.
If you would like to contribute to the crowdfund please follow this link: Beach Plastic Recycling Centre
The project needs to raise £4000 through this crowdfunder and if they reach that target the Calor Rural Community Fund could support them with an additional £5000. This would bring them to the total they are aiming for – £9,000. Every donation gives them 10points from the Calor Rural Community Fund, helping them towards their goal.
And here’s a great wee video explaining it all
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