eXXpedition North Pacific crew member and scientist Imogen Napper introduces us to crew member waste management expert and marketing professional Meg Tapp…
“Let me introduce you to Meg Tapp!
English literature graduate, runner, actress and a one to watch out for!
Meg started championing for environmental matters from a young age. She shared a story with the crew about her introducing the first recycling bins into the classrooms at her secondary school. Turn the clocks forward a few years and now she fittingly has a job in waste management for Derby City Council. When she began this role, she was given two weeks to research the industry and get a clear understanding of what the problems were. This is where she discovered the issues surrounding marine debris.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a prominent issue that shocked Meg as it is predicted to be one of most plastic polluted marine areas; even when so far from land! Encompassed with guilt that the situation had got to this point, she felt empowered she could be a part of the solution. Especially as within her job she was aware that she had an important and powerful platform to positively influence others. Therefore, after hearing about eXXpedition whilst watching the news with her partner, she realised that this would be the perfect opportunity to get first-hand experience on how to tackle the issue, but also meet an eclectic group of women with the same goal.
Meg embarked on eXXpedition never having stepped foot on a sailing boat but has been an absolutely invaluable member of the team. Meg has got stuck in with complex science protocols, been at the helm of the boat, made dinner when we are at an angle of 45 degrees and also kept spirits high on the cold night watches.
Now reflecting at the end of our trip, Meg is making plans for what she can achieve back home. One project she aims to get running is the standardisation of waste between councils. She will also take back all of the knowledge from this trip and use it to inspire those within her area about reducing their amount of waste.
Meg finishes this trip as sailor, scientist and influential solution maker. Me, and the rest of the crew, have no doubt that Meg is going to achieve significant change. We are all looking forward to following her adventures in the next few years. As a friend, now that I have met her, she is not going to get rid of me easily! As an aunty to both a niece and a nephew, she goes home as a role model for their future.”
