Snowdon is set to declare war on disposable bottles and food wrappers in the coming weeks.
It comes after large amounts of plastic residues were found at the summit and early next month a feasibility study will set out the steps needed if the mountain is to achieve Plastic Free Status.
These are likely to include practical measures, such as extra “refill” capacity for reusable water bottles and a crackdown on single-plastic packaging.
There is also expected to be a renewed publicity campaign which will advise walkers on the ways they can help tackle the plastics menace on the UK’s most visited mountain, North Wales Live reports.
The study, commissioned by the Snowdonia Partnership (Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa) has been completed but not yet published.
It comes on the heels of new research which confirmed suspicions that Snowdon’s soils now harbour large concentrations of microplastics.
Most of these tiny particles are thought to stem from the degradation of larger pieces of plastic such as food wrappers and discarded drink bottles.
Some, which may also have blown in, included microfibres from clothing.
John Harold, chair of Snowdonia Partnership, said: "These results are a stark reminder of how persistent plastic is when it gets into the environment.
"This work shows what happens when plastic is let loose in the soils and freshwater of our precious protected areas; it breaks into countless particles and we lose control of it."
The largest concentrations of microplastics were found lower down the mountain at a bridge used by Snowdon Mountain Railway, under which the Llanberis Path passes.
John Harold is also director of Snowdonia Society which organises a series of litter picking days on Snowdon – and elsewhere – during the year.
He said: "A huge amount of litter is cleared by staff and volunteers, but by no means all gets picked up."
The provision of bins on Snowdon is unlikely to be included in the feasibility study’s list of recommendations.
As well as causing practical difficulties with collection, and wind dispersal, the idea contradicts the walkers’ edict that "what goes up must come down".
Mr Harold hopes businesses in the area can be encouraged to ditch the sale of harmful products such as single-use bottles.
Such a move could also be driven by walkers as they become better informed about plastic pollution and the need to be better prepared.
Not all littering is deliberate or caused by carelessness: much is accidental, and this needs to be addressed too, said Mr Harold.
"If, for example, you climb the mountain with your lunch in a tupperware box, you’re less likely to see food packaging and wrapper blown away in sudden gusts of wind," he said.
To get the late st email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.
