Could you go firework free this bonfire night?

They're anticipating more people to hold their own displays due to the cancellation of many organised events this year.

But, fireworks release a lot of non-biodegradable plastic into the environment which the charity says will ultimately end up in the sea.

Carla Roberts-Owen, from Litter Free Dorset said:

"Not many people realise just how much plastic there is in fireworks. That's why it's important, alongside safety messages, to raise awareness as what goes up, must come back down.

"This is very much the case with fireworks, and the harmful litter they create. That's why we're encouraging everyone to have a fun but firework-free Bonfire Night this year."

Fireworks contain nonbiodegradable plastics that, following a firework being launched, are dispersed over large areas before returning to the ground. This results in the wide scattering of plastic debris, polluting the environment and harming wildlife that mistake the plastic as food.

This littered plastic can persist in the environment for a very long time and is often lightweight, so even if it is inland, can be easily transported by wind and rain, down drains, into local waterways, ultimately ending up in the sea. Over time, this plastic will fragment into smaller pieces of microplastics that are very difficult to remove from both land and marine environments, and can be mistaken as food by sea life.

As well as plastic pollution, fireworks can be dangerous, causing wildfire and injury to both humans and animals. You can find more information on the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service website:

https://www.dwfire.org.uk/safety/safety-at-home/seasonal-advice/fireworks/