Calls to reduce plastic waste this Christmas in a bid to help protect local wildlife

Members of the public are being urged to avoid single-use plastics this Christmas in a bid to protect wildlife.

The call from RSPCA Cymru comes after new statistics show the RSPCA has received 26 calls from Wales about plastic-related incidents, up to November 26th this year. It follows 27 calls coming to RSPCA Cymru during 2017.

However it is thought that call figures are likely to be higher – as these only denote those calls where plastic was specifically referenced.

This year, issues have included a hybrid duck found with a plastic ring stuck around his head and beak.

Wildlife and other animals can often become entangled or trapped by discarded plastics. The RSPCA says a “throw-away culture of single-use plastics” causes avoidable hazards for the animal kingdom.

In total, more than 600 incidents have been reported to the RSPCA so far this year across England and Wales, up to 26 November, linked to plastic-related trauma for animals.

RSPCA Cymru superintendent Martyn Hubbard said: “Since the start of 2017, we’ve had more than 50 incidents reported to us in Wales about animals negatively impacted by plastics.

“We see all too many animals coming into our centres sick and suffering due to the litter we throw away. Sadly, a throw-away culture of single-use plastics is creating numerous hazards for wildlife and other animals.”

“RSPCA Cymru says welfare issues around single-use plastics are particularly frustrating for their officers as they are “totally avoidable”.

The call comes at a busy time of year for the charity. Last year, during the festive season (1-31 Dec), the charity received a total of 2,822 calls in Wales to its 24-hour cruelty hotline with concerns about animals in distress.

Superintendent Hubbard added: “Many welfare issues caused by discarded plastics are totally avoidable; so this can be hugely frustrating for our officers to deal with.

“Fortunately, there’s plenty the public can do to help. Avoiding the use of unnecessary single-use plastics this festive season could help make it a kinder Christmas for our friends in the animal kingdom.

“And whether it’s reducing packaging, leaving food out for wildlife in the colder weather, volunteering or donating to an animal charity or shopping at a charity shop, there are lots of things you can do to be kinder to animals this Christmas.”