MUCH WENLOCK HAS BEEN AWARDED PLASTIC FREE COMMUNITIES STATUS BY SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE
We have been accredited for the year 2023 as ‘Plastic Free Much Wenlock’
We now begin our work to spread the word to stop using single use plastic for the year 2024
PLASTIC POLLUTION, WHAT IS IT?
Laura Parker from National Geographic says……
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Plastic pollution is the most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent. But the developed world, especially in countries with low recycling rates, also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics. Plastic trash has become so ubiquitous it has prompted efforts to write global treaty negotiated by the United Nations.
WHAT IS A PLASTIC FREE COMMUNITY?
To ensure a cleaner Earth for future generations we need to start tackling single-use plastic pollution at source.
We can all take-action in our own lives to reduce single-use plastic and join this nationwide movement.
Surfers against Sewage are creating the Plastic Free Community network to free where we live from single-use plastic.
You are a vital part of the movement…
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
There are many ways you can help,
As an individual, as a business, as a school……
To find out more about how you can get involved tackling single use plastic in Much Wenlock, click the link below
Deposit Return Scheme
Introduction to Deposit Return Scheme (DRS): What is it?
A Deposit Return Scheme is a system to encourage the reuse and recycling of drinks containers by paying a deposit for the container of the drink you buy which you get back when you return it.
Imagine it this way: you’re buying the contents, but renting the container.
Remember milkmen? It’s the same idea with plastic, glass and metal drinks containers. So, you buy your usual drink and it’s 20p more expensive than before, but you get this deposit back when you take it back to the shop, or post it into the reverse vending machine. This bottle can then be recycled, refilled and reused over and over. It’s as simple as that.
What has been going on in UK Government?
Over the past 7 years, governments across the UK have been promising to deliver a deposit return scheme. However, after years of delay from government and strong push back from producers and retailers, the future of the scheme becomes increasingly uncertain.
A simple scheme to ensure produces pay for the pollution they create and take pollution from our streets, beaches and ocean has become a political football across the UK. Despite over 40 countries across the world delivering similar schemes with great success, the UK government continue to bend to the pressure of lobbyists meddling in its future.
What does Surfers Against Sewage want?
We want to show governments across the UK that the public are sick of the pollution they see on their streets and that we see an all in Deposit Return Scheme as the next best step to deliver change. This means the scheme will apply to plastic, metal and glass containers. A scheme which is not ‘all- in’ and focuses on only ‘on-the-go containers’ would be a significant oversight. An ‘all-in’ scheme would generate £5.5 billion and save six times more carbon than an ‘on-the-go’ system.
This is something the government promised in their 2019 manifesto, but have recently indicated may not be the case. We must show the strong positive support for the plan and ensure governments hold strong in their plans to deliver schemes as soon as possible. With 8bn containers entering the environment with every year of delay in the UK – there is no time to waste.
More information on the need for a Deposit Return Scheme can be found on our 2023 Brand Audit Report here:
Deposit Return Schemes 2024
What is a DRS and why do we want one?
In its simplest form, a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a scheme whereby, when someone buys something in a container, they are charged a deposit which is then refunded when they return the container.
There are different types of DRS with a range of scopes, to ensure all drinks containers are included in a scheme including those for plastic, glass and aluminium, we are calling for the government to deliver an ‘all-in’ scheme.
They are one of the most effective immediate actions governments can take to increase the collection of packaging for drinks containers. Were the UK to deliver a DRS, the collection rates of bottles included in the scheme would be expected to increase from 60% to at least 90%. And we estimate that in the UK a Deposit Return Scheme would prevent at least 55% of the plastic packaging collected on beaches by the top producing companies from entering the environment.
They are currently adopted by over 40 countries across the world and by the end of 2027, all countries in the European Union will have one in place.
Where are we at now?
After a strong campaign for a Deposit Return Scheme, the Conservative Party promised to deliver an ‘all-in’ DRS, were they to be elected to power in 2019. However, despite this promise and continued public support for a scheme, its delivery has repeatedly delayed. We were working towards a deadline of 2025 the UK government has delayed plans once again to 2027. And now, having waited 7 years, this year there will be a general election.
We are concerned that following the General Election, following years of delays, the incoming Government decided to scrap plans for the scheme. This is following conversations with people from parties of all sides who are uncertain of the mandate for this issue. That is why we believe it is important now, more than ever to show political candidates that people care about plastic pollution and just want the DRS to be delivered.
Recalculate My Footprint
https://carbon-calculator.climatehero.org/?source=email-cu1&__s=g51smpk3wnn8u09vg2rg
Every year, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans, wreaking havoc on marine life and ecosystems.
Single-use plastics, such as straws and water bottles, contribute significantly to pollution, with billions being discarded annually.
By reducing our plastic usage, we can mitigate the harmful effects of pollution and preserve the beauty of our natural world for future generations.
Let’s rise to the challenge and make Earth Day 2024 a milestone in our journey towards a plastic-free future. Pledge to reduce your plastic usage, spread awareness, and advocate for sustainable practices in your community. Together, we can build a healthier, more sustainable planet for future generations.
From swimwear to toys: how to go plastic-free for a day at the beach
Lycra, neoprene, polystyrene and other potential pollutants have become near-ubiquitous but there are alternatives – if you know where to look … Find out more HERE
PLASTIC FREE MUCH WENLOCK COMMUNITY
PLASTIC FREE MUCH WENLOCK Lead: Jacky Walter
Email: htenvironment@hotmail.com
Plastic Free Wenlock Champions
Simple Life Unwrapped
The Hair Gallery
Manor House B & B
The Fox
Nancy Helen Relishes
New Plastic Free Champions
Nancy Helen Relishes – ‘Have you met Claire, who has a stall in the Guildhall every Friday and Saturday? She sells delicious jams, marmalades, chutneys and more! She is our latest Business Champion for ‘Plastic Free Much Wenlock’. Clare has thought everything through and will not be handing out plastic carrier bags but encourages you to bring your own bag if you need one. Even the kitchen that has been installed for her business is second hand.’
The Fox – Much Wenlock – Mother Liz Borradaile and daughter Olivia Gabriel have received their ‘Plastic Free Champion’ award from ‘Surfers Against Sewage’, for their work to eliminate as much single use plastic as possible at the Fox pub in Much Wenlock. They are into recycling and refilling as much as possible. They already have their silver award and will be working to get their gold award.
Flour Power – Bread and More – Town Councillor, Duncan White, has set up a stall selling locally supplied fresh bread etc in the Guildhall on a Saturday morning. The town used to have a bakery but that shut and due to local demand Duncan has set up this business. Duncan is determined to not use any single use plastic in his business. He is now a ‘Community Ally’ supporting and promoting ‘Plastic Free Much Wenlock.’
Jayne Tart, from Nick Tart Estate Agent in Much Wenlock, is now a Business Champion for ‘Plastic Free Much Wenlock’. They have given up plastic water bottles, hand washing liquid, and milk from plastic bottles. You too could be doing this in your business. Just think how much single use plastic that will be saved over a month/over a year!
