Environmentally dangerous plastics will be revealed through blue-light technology at an educational clean-up event. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
The hidden microplastics that endanger local wildlife will be illuminated during a unique after-dark community clean-up event at Wollongong’s Stuart Park.
The sparkly plastics that are attractive to nesting birds and additives visible only to animals that see in UV will finally be brought into the light and removed from the environment during Wollongong City Council’s After Dark Blue Light Plastic Cleanup.
The impactful event will take place after sunset, with blue-light technology used to highlight fluorescent plastics and microplastics. These are usually invisible to the human eye, with rubbish such as fishing lines, balloons and balloon strings, plastic bags, bottle cap rings, plastic straws, and plastic bottles also having deadly impacts on wildlife.
“We expect to find a lot of microplastics like synthetic fibres, tape, bottle tops and plastic containers,” council waste education officer Penny Hoswell said.
“The UV light reveals why these glowing plastics look so fantastic to birds and end up in nests that can hamper egg development and harm newborn birds who get caught in synthetic materials after hatching.”
The event hopes to highlight more than just litter, with plastic still creating a risk even if discarded in bins.
Broken-down microplastics can be washed into waterways and soils even if disposed of properly, with the community urged to avoid using and buying single-use plastics completely to ensure it doesn’t pollute the environment and harm wildlife.
“We’ll also have some real nests on display as well as eggs, shells and rocks so people can compare and make up their own mind about how plastic is impacting the natural environment,” Penny said.
The experience will also be educational for participants, who will be able to see first-hand how the day-to-day decisions they make can have a flow-on effect.
“We’ll also get people to look at their clothing so they can see the plastic microfibres and understand that we really all can make a difference in our choices of packaging, clothing and other plastic items,” Penny said.
Participants must be residents of the Wollongong local government area and aged eight or older, with children required to be accompanied by an adult.
Attendees are also required to bring their own gloves and wear warm clothes and enclosed shoes.
The free event will be hosted on Tuesday, 12 August, from 5 pm and will run for about two hours. Bookings are essential.
