Project Description

Plastic pollution has become one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time and poses a particular problem for coastal communities like the Loop Head Peninsula. Plastic pollution comes in a variety of forms: Thrown away bottles and packaging, washed up plastic pieces and debris and microscopic plastic particles, known as microplastics. While the first ones are mostly unsightly and a danger to wildlife, microplastics have been discovered in fish and other animals which are part of the food chain. While the bigger plastic pieces have a potentially negative impact on tourism, microplastics pose a direct threat to our health and wellbeing.

The Loop Head communities are already doing a lot to tackle this problem: Regular coastal clean-ups, the use of compostable cups and containers in the hospitality industry and the development of a compostable hemp silage netting by students of Kilkee Community College are just a few examples.

The Loop Head Plastic Pollution Strategy would build on these efforts and see a permanent working group consisting of members of the Loop Head communities from all walks of life research and find permanent solutions to reduce the use of plastic products on the peninsula. This could include:

• Map plastic pollution hotspots on the peninsula

• Identify sources of plastic in everyday life and explore possible non-plastic replacement products

• Explore the need for public bins / recycling bins

• Conduct a study on microplastics in food / seafood

• Explore the use of locally grown hemp to produce plastic alternatives

• Research the use of “plastic traps” for Loop Head’s harbours and bays

Project Justification & Objectives

Plastic pollution is one of the major environmental challenges of our time. Reducing the use of plastic and finding ways to catch plastic carried in by the tides would improve the health and wellbeing of everybody on the peninsula, protect our wildlife and make our coast even more attractive.

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• Loop Head Businesses

• Loop Head Farmers

• Loop Head Fishermen

• Loop Head National Schools and Kilkee Community College

• Loop Head Together

• Loop Head Tourism

• Wild Atlantic Hemp

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!