A Vancouver-based environmental organization continues to call for more remediation and action as pre-consumer plastic production pellets are being discharged into waterways by plastic manufacturing facilities.
Surfrider Foundation Vancouver have been researching pre-consumer plastic production pellet spills happening at plastics manufacturing industry sites that past three years.
The plastics manufacturing industry uses plastic polymer pellets to manufacture bags, bottles, containers, packaging, and other plastic products for commercial and industrial uses.
Through its research, Surfrider has found direct evidence that these plastic pellets are entering the marine environment from plastic production facilities in the Lower Mainland, particularly along multiple arms of the Fraser River.
One of the high areas of concern is the Audley Channel on Annacis Island, which saw a larger increase in the sight of the pellets the past weekend following the heavy rains.
“We really want to highlight that this is still a problem,” said Surfrider Foundation chair Amine Korch. “Not a lot has been done in terms of regulation and accountability from these companies to at minimum protect the storm drains and some mechanical retention of these particles going into those storm drains.”
Korch said their organization has been in contact with the provincial Ministry of Environment as well as the City of Delta as it continues to keep this issue in the forefront of government officials.
“We did report the most recent spill to the proper authorities, who have started cleaning up Audley Channel following the reports this week,” said Korch. “This is a good step in the right direction and we look forward to seeing more preventative measures put in place so this doesn't happen again.”
