Ecologists horrified by videos showing rivers of plastic flowing in Spain

Spanish ecologists are calling for the authorities to take action after two videos surfaced showing rivers of plastic flowing in the province of Almería.

The two clips, which were shared with the Ecologists in Action group, show the dry riverbeds beginning to flow again last week after heavy rains

However, instead of a glorious rebirth of the river-system, waves of discarded plastic float into view.

Ecologists in Action say the blame lies squarely with local farmers.

The province of Almería produces vast quantities of fruit and vegetables which end up in the supermarkets of northern Europe.

To maximise their returns, farmers grow their crops using make-shift plastic greenhouses, known locally as "plasticos".

In some parts of Almería, there are so many of these structures that it has become known as ''The Sea of Plastic''.

Ecologists in Action say that some farmers and farm workers are illegally dumping plastic sheeting from the greenhouses and other waste materials in the dry riverbeds close to their farms.

What makes matters worse, say Ecologists in Action, is that when the riverbeds fill with water, this plastic then flows into the sea.

"Firstly, those responsible need to start properly disposing of their plastic waste," Ecologists in Action said in a written statement.

"Second, the local administration of Andalusia needs to urgently crack down on the dumping of plastic in rivers, while also providing proper alternatives for recycling," the statement reads.

"Finally, the local authorities need to urgently begin a clean-up operation of these riverbeds."