The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has released a statement responding to Blue Planet II’ s episode on how plastic pollution in the ocean was the cause for baby pilot whale’s death.
Within the response, BPF stated its disappointment with the show’s allegations of plastic being the cause, as it had “absolutely no supporting evidence.”
BPF has said that it wants people to be aware that plastics are not a big source of toxins, persistent organic pollutants or heavy metals discovered in the ocean, due to the plastics being inert.
It explained that the chemicals that are within the seas are not present because of plastics, but due to “historical practices”, with many now banned under UN and EU regulations.
Due to the chemical nature, many of the banned chemicals continue in the environment for decades, with some banned almost 40 years ago, still being found today.
BPF continued in its reply to express its admiration for associate professor in environmental sciences at Southampton University, Malcolm Hudson, for publicly questioning the way the whale’s death was portrayed by the programme.
The executive producer of Blue Planet II, James Honeyborne, has stated to the media that no autopsy was done on baby whale, and according to BFP, insinuating it was killed by the plastic is completely wrong.
Plastics are a highly recyclable material that should stay productive within the circular economy, says BPF.
According to the organisation, the UK is only responsible for 0.2% of marine pollution, with BPF hoping that figure will reduce to zero.
BPF said: “In raising awareness of global environmental issues, falsely linking toxins in the ocean with plastics and the death of a baby whale is poor film-making and alarmist. Plastics are completely safe. They simply need to be disposed of responsibly so that they do not enter the marine environment.”
