Derry MLA asks people to stop 'dumping' Bible verses inside plastic bottles in river

EAST Derry MLA Claire Sugden has appealed to those behind the River Bann dumping of Bible verses inside plastic bottles to stop, due to its environmental impact.

Hundreds of the plastic bottles have been recovered from the river between Coleraine and Castlerock in recent years, leading environmentalists and government agencies to suspect they are being dumped into the river near Coleraine.

“Whatever the reason behind it, the dumping of these plastic bottles into the river is becoming a significant environmental risk and leaving it looking dirty and polluted,” Ms Sugden said.

“There are far cleaner and less damaging ways to express your religious beliefs. The time and effort taken to make and then dump these bottles could also be much better spent – for instance through volunteering with one of the many good community projects run by churches and religious groups.

“Plastics in our waterways and seas is a real problem for wildlife, the environment and for our own health – both locally and globally.

“I would urge whoever is behind this to stop and to channel their energies through more productive forms of religious work.”