Harry Munson is concerned about litter on Mersea Island

THE local elections are drawing closer.

An important but often overshadowed day, adults have the right to voice their beliefs and concerns by voting for councillors who represent them at local government level.

In the spirit of such democracy, I want to voice my own growing concern about an increasing problem harshly and unjustly hitting Mersea Island.

This issue is the continued growth of plastic waste on our beach.

Currently 16, I don’t yet have the right to vote, unfortunately.

However, as a watersport-loving, lifelong resident, who looks forward to the long, hot summer days when our cosy little island turns into a vibrant source of joy, it’s heartbreaking to see it become plagued with litter and plastic.

It’s either left or washed up along the beach and the surrounding areas and, unfairly, it usually falls to residents to clean up the mess of others.

In recent years, this silent epidemic has become so bad that bins have overflowed due to the sheer mass of waste in the summer months.

From personal experience, more often than not, by early afternoon, bins on the most popular parts of the beach are completely overcome by waste, both in and alongside them.

It begs the question, given this increasing problem: Why are these bins not collected more regularly in times when there is more waste?

Columnist Harry Munson

If not, it risks foxes rummaging through the stacked-up waste and that leads to even more mess.

The second problem is that in rural areas, where bins are more sparsely placed, it creates little incentive to deposit litter.

Inevitably, this leads to people keeping hold of it - or it gets blown away and forgotten about.

With more bins available, it would create a greater incentive and make it easier to get rid of waste.

I urge you to talk to your councillor about their environmental policy and what they are doing to reduce litter. Look at candidates’ proposals for what they plan to do because we need those in power and influence to take the issue seriously.

They are accountable to you through your vote, so use it wisely.

After all, it is councillors’ decisions or negligence that will affect your local community.

The environment is becoming an ever-more prevalent and topical issue, especially for my generation, who will inherit the problems set by this age of climate change and mass consumption.

I also ask to all those who visit over the summer to make sure they dispose of their waste accordingly.

Mersea is like any other place.

It has a welcoming community which enjoys sharing its beauty with visitors.

And with the summer months rapidly approaching, it’s the main time when many flock to catch some sun and enjoy a hard-earned break from the day-to-day rat race.

However, we locals are protective of our environment.

So, locals and visitors alike, look after your litter and use your cherished vote wisely.

Hopefully then we can all continue to live together in a clean, happy society.

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