Founded by Professor Gatrad, Walsall Against Single Use Plastic (WASUP for short) aims to raise awareness through posters, talks and videos of ways to decrease the use of plastic throughout Walsall.

Professor Gatrad has already had the opportunity to visit 10 schools in Walsall and aims to visit all schools in a 12 month period.

The project was launched at the Manor Hospital on January 23rd 2019. The meeting joined a variety of organisations such as Walsall College, Walsall Housing Group, The Manor Hospital, Schools, Scouts, Communities and Trusts. Alongside this, WASUP has the support of the Lord Lieutenant John Crabtree OBE, Andy Street (West Midlands Mayor), the local council and businessmen.

During the launch, each of the groups discussed their strategies and plans to help decrease single-use plastic. Collaborations such as Canal and Rivers Trust working with the scouts, schools and the community will help to clean canals on a rota system.

The WASUP Plastic Cycle

Plastic is used every single day, by everyone, across the world. Whether it's from home or business use, it's the largest used piece of engineering on the planet. And alongside this, it's also the worst...

Did you know?

• Globally, 1 million bottles a day, 1 million cups a day and 2 million plastic bags are used.
• Annually, 8 million tons find its way into the ocean, almost 10% of this being from fishing lines.
• By 2025, plastic in the ocean will double.
• By 2050, there will be a 500% increase in plastic, meaning more plastic weight in the ocean than fish.

Microplastic

Microplastics are the most dangerous form of plastic to the environment. Microplastics are small plastic pieced less than five millimetres long that can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.

Microbeads are also considered microplastics, these are tiny pieces of polyethene plastic. They mainly come from beauty or health products.

Microplastics have now found their way into the digestive system and are seriously affecting wildlife.

Impact of plastic on Marine Life

• Fish mistake plastic as fish eggs.
• Fish mistake plastic as being edible.
• Plastic destroys coral which fish feed on.
• Lethal bacteria.
• Birds mistake plastic that floats just under the water surface as fish.
• The weight of plastic within a seabird stops it from flying.

Dangers of plastic to Humans

• Microplastics fund in 93% of bottled water, tested in a global study.
• In 2018, microplastic found in human stool
• Toxic chemicals from plastic are found in the blood and tissue of nearly all of us.
• Exposure to them is linked to cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and more.
• Bisphenol A in plastic bottles BPA is toxic.

Professor Abdul Rashid Gatrad OBE

Professor A R Gatrad, OBE PhD DSc(Hon) FRCP, FRCPH, MbChB LRCP MRCS D.Obst DCH is a Consultant Paediatrician at the Manor Hospital in Walsall. He is also a senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham and an Honorary Professor at the University Wolverhampton and Kentucky USA. He has been a clinical director for Paediatric Services in Walsall and also holds a National Award for Clinical Excellence.

Recycling in partnership with Walkers

TerraCycle® and Walkers® have partnered to create a free recycling scheme which accepts all crisp packets!

All you need to do is drop off your used crisp packets at a public drop off location across the UK and Ireland.

You can find your local one here.

The 7 WASUP Project Objectives

1. To support the national programme of Sky Ocean Rescue
2. To reach all schools and raise the profile
3. To share good practice
4. To involve all children through DofE Awards and Scout/Guide school children
5. To reach all communities in Walsall
6. To practically provide reusable material to substitute plastic
7. To educate the public in both home and work environments

Initiatives

Amongst other things, there are 4 key things happening with WASUP, organised by Professor Gatrad...

• An exhibition by at least 20 schools from the Borough of Walsall on the 5th July at Walsall College.
• WASUP on the billboards on M5 and M6.
• Professor Gatrad has secured £5000 to house a plastic boat to be used in the collection of waste.
• A WASUP song has been composted, with lyrics created by the school children of Walsall.

Contact WASUP

For more information, or to get in touch with WASUP, click here.

If you wish to donate to WASUP, click here.