Last week, I attended the TearFund campaign’s parliamentary event, learning about the safe disposal of rubbish around the world.
Two billion people around the world do not have their rubbish collected, making them sick, releasing toxic fumes, causing flooding and potentially a million deaths each year. So much of this rubbish is single-use plastics, and TearFund are campaigning for a UN plastics treaty to ensure safe disposal of rubbish for those living in poverty.
TearFund have also started a ‘Rubbish Challenge’ this May, encouraging every household to contribute to reducing global plastic waste by making permanent plastic-free swaps (carrying around a reusable cutlery sets or cups), or turning a single room in the house plastic free.
I attended the event in order to raise awareness about this crucial issue, and I hope that some Mid Derbyshire residents will consider taking up the Rubbish Challenge this month.