No ifs or butts about it, Ullapool campaigner (9) won't take no for an answer!
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AN Ullapool primary pupil who discovered that cigarette butts are the largest single source of marine rubbish has taken to the seas as part of a campaign targetting smokers.
Megan Ross (9) read about the issue of cigarettes at Ullapool Primary School and decided to take action.
Last year, in conjunction with the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Noel Hawkins, also based in Ullapool, she put out posters and buckets to Loopallu Festival asking people not to be “Pain in the Butt”.
Organisers said there was a reduction in the waste product when it came to tidying the site.
Following up on this, she approached a number of bars in Ullapool that have smoking areas outside and posters and buckets were put in place again under the campaign title “No Ifs, No Butts!”.
Her latest step was to approach CalMac Ferries Ltd who operate The Loch Seaforth ferry from Ullapool as she thought people might be throwing their cigarettes over the side when travelling between Ullapool and Stornoway. CalMac not only agreed to put up her posters but they invited Megan aboard too and she even met the ferry skipper Ronnie Nicolson who escorted her to see her work.
It is estimated that almost two-thirds of the 5.6 trillion cigarettes made every year end up thrown away. Many of these end up getting into rivers and washed out to sea where they release chemicals and toxins. Filters are part made of plastic so do not break down and are believed to even be entering the food chain.
Ullapool pupils took action previously and got plastic straws removed from all the bars and restaurants in the village. Hopefully Megan’s campaign will see the village clear yet more plastic from the environment and seas.
Noel Hawkins, Living Seas Communities manager, said: “Seeing kids like Megan not just becoming aware and talking about issues such as pollution in our seas, but actually coming up with great initiatives and suggestions for how to go out and tackle the problem is both heartening and inspirational.
"People are becoming every more aware of the threats to nature and our environment, and these threats are big. Steps like Megan’s are great and achievable and if lots of people were to follow her example and also think of everyday things they can do in their own neighbourhoods, work places, schools and homes, imagine how much we could achieve.”
