If we ever needed more concrete proof of the disastrous effect our plastic waste has on marine life, this week gave us the ‘perfect’ example.

The news that an endangered leatherback turtle has died as a result of ingesting plastic that somehow found its way into the sea shocked many, and the post was shared thousands of times on the social media.  

While the case caused uproar online, it was not isolated.

In a feature published in this newspaper on Thursday, Nature Trust Malta president Vince Attard told us that the turtle rehabilitation centre at Marsaxlokk is at full capacity.

The centre there sees all sort of injuries, many of which are caused by ingesting plastic, or by fishing hooks, lines and nets. The San Lucjan centre is a living example of the tremendous harm we are doing to wildlife through negligence and greed.

The subject of single-use plastics has been raised over and over again over the past few years and awareness is at an all time high, yet our plastic consumption habits remain largely unchanged.

A number of restaurants and supermarkets have taken the initiative and are setting an example for others. Plastic straws have been replaced with reusable metal ones, and plastic shopping bags have been replaced with brown paper ones.

The government has also pledged to introduce the plastic bottle return scheme, which will encourage people to return their plastic bottles against a refund, rather than discard them or throw them in a bin.

But there needs to be a much bigger change.

Anyone who does grocery shopping will know that a single trip to the supermarket generates an insane amount of plastic and paper packaging. Even fruit often comes pre-packed in plastic.

But this is not just about the big chains. As individuals we can make a difference too. Proper recycling is a must to ensure that as little plastic as possible goes to the landfills. This process is of paramount importance even if the Marsascala recycling plant is still out of action – the grey bags are still being stored, which means that the material is contained.

The waste generated on boats and at the seaside, on the other hand, is very likely to end up in the water if not disposed of properly.

Unfortunately many individuals just throw their trash overboard after a day ‘boating’ at Comino, or leave their rubbish behind after a picnic or barbeque at the beach. Sometimes it’s a plastic bottle, some cigarette butts or an ice-cream wrapper. Sometimes it’s the entire black bag.

There is so much that needs to be done and we all have to play our part.

 Supermarkets, especially the large chains, should see how to reduce (ideally eliminate) all the unnecessary plastic packaging.

The companies that produce drinks should think about reintroducing glass bottles and doing away with plastic once and for all.

Disposable plates, cups and cutlery should be banned altogether. Everything we take to the beach or the countryside with us should be taken back home, washed, and used again and again.

Balloon releases must stop.

Lastly, we need to be more educated and less selfish. We are not Neanderthals and littering at the beach, or any other place for that matter, should be completely unacceptable.

Not all of us litter, but then again many of us fail to speak up when we see others littering. 

If we really care about the environment, about the latest turtle that died because of us, we need to stop acting and thinking selfishly.

The worst thing that can happen is if we all let this incident be forgotten and continue as if nothing happened.