I recently attended the screening of Plastic Oceans, hosted by Bradford on Avon Plastic Free Communities. The auditorium was full to capacity and our little pop-up was well received by the locals!
Before the film began, drinks and snacks were available, giving everyone the opportunity to discuss plastic pollution, the problems it is currently causing and what, if anything, can be done to reduce its impacts.
It was clear from the outset, there is a fervor to stop plastic pollution in this small town. It was really refreshing to hear that many people found shopping locally was the simplest solution to reducing their plastic waste. This would mean they are supporting local, independent businesses as well as reducing their CO2.
Re-watching Plastic Oceans: I sat in the theatre alongside people who were watching the film for the first time. I was reminded of my own shock at first seeing this extraordinary film. And of the impact it had on me in January 2017. As a documentary, it covers a lot of ground, and visually, you leave with images of plastic islands and mountains, littering what were once pristine seas or tropical islands. It would be impossible to leave the theatre without it having an impact on a person. People gasped, winced and exchanged uncomfortable looks and grimaced at scenes that shouldn’t be happening. Namely, marine and wild life, being directly inflicted by our plastic habits.
I first saw A Plastic Ocean in January 2017. I had booked the tickets in Dhaka. We returned and went straight to the Bristol Aquarium, where the film was being shown. Jo Ruxton, one of the producers, was in there to answer our questions after the screening. The demand to see the film was so high, that another screening was scheduled for the following evening.
The hardest parts of the film to digest was seeing how our plastic habits as consumers were directly affecting wildlife. This was not only painful, but it also made me very angry. I think this would make most of us with heart, reassess our current shopping habits in earnest.
The film makers are working on an edition for schools, due to be released summer 2019.
A Plastic Oceans was a call to action for myself, and it was after seeing the film for the first time, I decided to pursue the idea I had only been toying with, and went about the planning for my own online concept store, in the hope it could be a place to not simply shop for reusable’s,but also inspire a new way of conscious living, as well as conscious consumerism.
It was refreshing to learn that screenings of A Plastic Oceans are still being shown across the UK.
A Plastic Ocean is on NetFlix if you have an account, or you can watch it HERE on YouTube
If you want your community to become a Plastic Free Community click THIS link for more info!
Or if you would like to find your local Plastic Free Community click HERE
