Portland Port’s plastics clean-up

(Posted on 02/08/18)

Marine plastic pollution is a serious threat to the health of marine environments and their biodiversity. Portland Port, UK has taken steps to begin addressing the plastics and litter that come in to Portland Harbour.

Last week a team of 20 Portland Port employees volunteered to spend a few hours removing the marine plastics and litter that had been washed up at Fort Head on the Outer Breakwater; with an extensive breakwater system of over 5km it seemed like a good place to start.

Ian McQuade, General Manager – Commercial, said “It was shocking to see just how much waste plastics have washed onto this area of the breakwater. Two hours and around 15 dumpy bags later it felt like we had at least made a small contribution.”

Sandie Wilson (Environment & Planning Manager) commented that ‘It is amazing what you can achieve in just a couple of hours and great to see everyone’s enthusiasm to get involved!”

Future trips are being planned for later in the year to continue the good work. The waste that was collected last week will be separated, with as much as possible being recycled.

Previously a naval dockyard for over 150 years, Portland Harbour is now a thriving and successful commercial facility. It still maintains a close relationship with the past through its ongoing contract to support the RFA, as well as being home to the activities of Global Marine and Portland Bunkers UK. It has almost 2,500 hectares of water at depths of up to 15m (C.D.); and provides vessel services from long term lay-ups to brief maintenance calls, luxury cruise liner docking facilities to industrial cargo shipments.