COMMENT: Download the app and play your part in tackling waste

If we're going to tackle environmental problems such as plastic waste, we all need to be involved.

So today's news that Portsmouth residents can use a new app as part of a world-first project is very exciting.

We report how the Mapping Portsmouth Plastic (Mapp) project is launching this weekend, using data gathered from the app to track the patterns and movement of plastic litter such as bottles and packaging in the city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That evidence will then play a crucial part in finding solutions to reduce waste.

As an island city, we're being used as a test bed for something that could end up being rolled out across the globe.

It's easy to take part. All you have to do is download the Jetsam app on your phone and then take and submit photographs of any plastic waste you come across.

Users of the app will be asked to take part in surveys on specific dates, with the first taking place on November 12 and 13.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Photos that are contributed, along with embedded location data, will form a ‘plastic heatmap’ of the local area that can be used by a team from Revolution Plastics at the University of Portsmouth.

The initiative fits in very well with our Going For Green campaign, which was launched earlier this year in conjunction with Portsmouth Climate Action Board.

We want to make Portsmouth a greener city and are encouraging everyone to do their bit for the environment.

That can range from more recycling to making fewer car journeys.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Jetsam app means everybody can play a part, so we urge readers to use it.

Because the more people who do, the better the understanding will be of where the biggest plastic waste problems are and how to tackle them.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.