TBL’s Alex Matthews put his wellies on and headed to the Yorkshire Dales to help tackle plastic pollution.

This was my first time volunteering with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I assumed that my day would involve tree planting. A big part of YDMT’s work is about restoring native habitats and creating resilient natural spaces – which is why the organisation is such a natural partner for TBL. But I was in for a surprise.

I and other volunteers (from friends of TBL, 75Media) were at Crakemore Farm near Skipton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, to address the issue of single use plastic in the forestry sector.

After a short walk to the site, we got stuck into the task of removing plastic tree guards. You know the sort of thing. They’re the tubes that saplings are planted in to protect them from grazing wildlife. I’d never really thought about them before and just assumed they were biodegradable—but to my surprise, they’re not!

Changing the guard

Left in place, over time, the guards break down into microplastics that contaminate soil and water, harming wildlife and potentially entering the food chain. Learning that millions of these plastic guards are used every year, all of which eventually need to be removed, was a real eye-opener.

That’s why YDMT has launched its Plastic-Free Woodlands programme and from the moment I arrived, the incredibly friendly YDMT team made me feel right at home and gave me a clear understanding of the what, why and how of the day’s activities.

By the end of the day, we’d managed to clear just over 800 tree guards. It was hard work, but incredibly rewarding. The experience gave me a whole new perspective on plastic use in conservation, and I’ll never look at a tree guard the same way again.

Find out more about the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.