--- title: "Science students join Liverpool Uni for microplastic pollution project" url: "https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news/2019-11-19-science-students-join-liverpool-uni-for-microplastic-pollution-project" school: "Birkenhead Sixth Form College" --- [![Birkenhead Sixth Form College](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/logo/BSFC_FC_RGB(1).png)](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/) - [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/birkenheadsixthformcollege) - [X](http://www.twitter.com/BSFC) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs0mV-sqmiu8V_19dpFY3Zw) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bsfc_/) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@bsfc_college) [Apply Now](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/application-form) ![OFSTED](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/theme/birkenhead/img/ofsted_new.png) # Science students join Liverpool Uni for microplastic pollution project 19 November 2019 ![Image of Science students join Liverpool Uni for microplastic pollution project](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/news/For_Website(12).jpg) Science students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College are taking part in a project with the University of Liverpool Chemistry Department to survey microplastic pollution on the Wirral coastline. Funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the project is the first time a study has been made of this type of pollution on Wirral beaches. The project kicked off recently with samples collected from the beach near Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton, with students studying across the four science courses available at the College joined by Year 8 students from The Birkenhead Park School, Professor Helen Aspinall from the University of Liverpool and crew members from New Brighton Lifeboat Station. ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/plastic_project_8.jpg) The project serves as a brilliant chance for students take part in a piece of real scientific research involving scientifically rigorous sampling techniques. They will now get the opportunity to analyse their samples using state-of-the-art equipment including EDX, IR and Raman microscopy both in the College laboratories and at the University of Liverpool’s recently upgraded science department. ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/plastic_project_5.jpg) The investigation into microplastic pollution comes at a time when the College is laying down new foundations to avoid plastic and other unnecessary waste that damages the planet. New sectioned recycling bins are now in place in the College refectory, 8SQ, and reusable water bottles will replace single use water bottles in 2020 with ten new water fountains installed across multiple areas in the campus. Reusable hot drinks mugs are replacing paper cups and there is a renewed focus on recycling paper, with appropriate, labelled bins next to all printers. ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/Plastic_project_group.jpg) ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/plastic_project_7.jpg) ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/plastic_project_6.jpg) ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/plastic_project_9.jpg) ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/Plastic_project_2.jpg) ![](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/images/plastic_project_4.jpg) - [ previous](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news/2019-11-15-girls-network-event-gives-students-key-skills-in-making-valuable-future-contacts) - [next ](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news/2019-12-02-berlin-trip-inspires-art-foundation-students) ### [Latest News](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news) [![Image of Health Professionals Programme students qualify as first aiders](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/imagecache/750x480c/news/HPP_first_aid_Collage.png)](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news/2026-11-11-health-professionals-programme-students-qualify-as-first-aiders) 11 November 2026 #### [Health Professionals Programme students qualify as first aiders](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news/2026-11-11-health-professionals-programme-students-qualify-as-first-aiders) ### [Upcoming Events](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/events) [![Image of Open Evening](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/imagecache/750x480c/events/Edited_Top_3.jpg)](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/events/2026-11-26-open-evening) 26 November 2026 #### [Open Evening](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/events/2026-11-26-open-evening) ### [Blog](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/blog) [![Image of Students Secure 3rd Place in Merseyside Police Cyber Challenger 2025](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/imagecache/750x480c/blog/IMG_0394.jpg)](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/blog/2025-03-06-10-26-00-students-secure-3rd-place-in-merseyside-police-cyber-challenger-2025) 6 March 2025 #### [Students Secure 3rd Place in Merseyside Police Cyber Challenger 2025](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/blog/2025-03-06-10-26-00-students-secure-3rd-place-in-merseyside-police-cyber-challenger-2025) [Tweets by BSFC](https://twitter.com/BSFC) ![Top 3](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/Top_3_Footer.jpg) ![Educate Awards - Most Inspirational Sixth Form](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/Most_Inspirational_Winner_-_Banner_Rounded_Corners(1).jpg) ![Educate North College of the Year 2023](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/College_of_the_Year_Badge_-_Banner.jpg) [![Ofsted](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/Ofsted_Outstanding_OP_Colour.png)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50248883) [![TES Shortlist](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/For_Website_Partner.jpg)](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/news/2018-02-26-college-wins-national-sixth-form-college-of-the-year-award) [![Quality in Careers](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/Quality_in_Careers_Standard_-_JPEG.jpg)](https://www.qualityincareers.org.uk/) ![CE Certified](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/new_ce_badge.png) [![Sixth Form Colleges Association](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/SFCA.jpg)](http://www.sixthformcolleges.org/) ![AoC](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/Without_Border.jpg) [![Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/partners/DofE-logo-gunmetal-full-RGB_(504x800)_(403x640).jpg)](http://www.dofe.org/) ![Birkenhead Sixth Form College](https://files.schudio.com/birkenhead/images/logo/logo-white(2).png) © Copyright 2011–2026 Birkenhead Sixth Form College All rights reserved. **Birkenhead Sixth Form College** Park Road West, Claughton Wirral, Merseyside, CH43 8SQ Tel: 0151 652 5575 Email: School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.bsfc.ac.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)