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HeadlineChelsea in Bloom encourages Londoners to ditch plastic

Short HeadlineChelsea in Bloom encourages Londoners to ditch plastic

StandfirstThe under the sea instillation aims to raise the public's awareness of how plastic is polluting the oceans

Floral Art has sprung up across Chelsea as the Borough welcomes back Chelsea in Bloom Festival.

Event organiser’s Cadogan have chosen an underwater theme this year to highlight the dangers that man-made pollution presents to the oceans.

Larger than life aquatic plants and sea-creatures now decorate the fronts of shops and restaurants, providing visitors a chance to see how humans are damaging sea-life.

Why is this year’s theme ‘under the sea’?

Caroline Jennings, Cadogan’s Head of Marketing and Communication, told City News they wanted to pick a theme that revolves around the idea of sustainability.

“This year’s theme, under the sea, felt really poignant at the moment. Everyone’s really increasingly aware of the need to conserve and protect our oceans.

“We’re working with Plastic Oceans UK to raise awareness on this huge issue.”

What can Londoners do to help take ocean pollution?

Christian Brighty represents Plastic Oceans UK. He says there are little things Londoners can do to reduce the amount of plastic waste they create.

“Our plastic rivers report which came out back in March highlighted that one of the worst pollutants in the environment that we often throw away is plastic bottles.

“If we all cut down and use reusable bottles we could stop about 7,000 tonnes of plastic entering the ocean just from the UK.

“Another one that’s really obvious that people don’t really spot is cigarette butts. When you chuck a cigarette butt on the floor that’s so likely to be swept into a storm drain and end up in the ocean.”

Is the instillation making Londoners think about their plastic usage?

Here’s what onlookers at Sloane Square had to say after visiting the instillation:

• “I guess it brings awareness in a nice way.”
• “It’s very colourful, it’s very pretty. We didn’t know it was going to be here, but obviously we’ve stopped to come and take a look at it. So, that’s always a plus.”
• “The display where it had two massive troughs full of plastic that made us stop and question what’s different about that to all the others.”

The instillation is running until the end of this week. The question of whether Londoners will be persuaded to erode their plastic usage in the long-term, remains to be seen.