ABP Humber ports in trial scheme to recycle plastic pollution

Associated British Ports (ABP) facilities in Hull and Goole are trialling a scheme to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean with a trial scheme recycling plastic waste in the waters to shampoo bottles.

With serious global concerns over the levels of plastic pollution in the oceans, the two UK ports have been using floating machines, called the Waterwitch and Envirocat to clean the waters of the Humber.

In just a few weeks the two vessels have picked up what ABP described as a “staggering” 2.5 tonnes of plastic waste washed up across the Humber.

The ports company is working with Terracycle and Procter & Gamble to transform the waste plastics into shampoo bottles that will go retail sale in the UK later this year.

Chris Green, Hull and Goole Port Manager, said: “This green project is part of ABPs commitment to continually improving our environmental performance and work around our Humber ports to reduce plastics and marine litter.

“One plastic bottle can last for 450 years in the marine environment, slowly fragmenting into smaller and smaller pieces, so we as a port authority will lead the way and make the Humber – the UKs busiest waterway – a cleaner and more environmentally friendly place.

“We believe industry and wildlife can work hand-in-hand with support and encouragement so they can thrive; recently at Goole our marine staff have seen otters, seals and cormorants catching fish from the waters.”

ABP is hoping to introduce the scheme at its 21 ports across the UK.