Bembridge has joined a network of communities across the UK who have been awarded ‘Plastic Free Communities’ status.
The village has been awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), in recognition of the work it has done to start reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment.
Local community leads Lindsey Newberry and Ally de Trey started the campaign last year after spending a year conducting beach cleans and surveys on marine pollution with local residents.
Working with Chani Courtney, The Surfers Against Sewage Regional Representative, the pair were encouraged to join the SAS Plastic Free Communities movement.
Lindsey and Ally pulled together key organisations and businesses in the town to put in place a 5-point plan working with Bembridge Parish Council.
Lindsey and Ally said:
“Our community has rallied around this initiative. Businesses have led the way in reducing use of single-use plastic by eliminating some plastic and by using refill and reuse schemes.”
The Sea Room has achieved a gold award, Bembridge Barbers a silver award and David Hunt Tai Chi a bronze award. Other Bembridge businesses such as Woodford’s Butchers are working towards the bronze award. Local community groups have supported the initiative by holding events in their premises and publicising the work being done. Bembridge Community Library and Hartford Care which owns The Elms and Inver House are active community allies supporting our work.
A launch event in Bembridge Village Hall last year highlighted the sheer amount of plastic pollution and ways to stop this at a local, national and global level. The issues have been discussed with Isle of Wight MPs Joe Robertson and, Richard Quigley and with the local Green Party lead Vix Lowthion.
Rachel Yates, SAS Plastic Free Communities Project Manager, said:
“It’s great to see the work that Bembridge has done to reduce the availability of avoidable plastics, raise awareness and encourage people to reduce, refill and reuse.”
“We have over 600 communities across the UK working to reduce single use plastic and the impact it has on our environment. Every step those communities and the individuals in them take is a step towards tackling the problem at source, challenging our throwaway culture and encouraging the habit and system changes we need to see.”
Great idea, but obviously have not seen the
Numpty’s vaping on their plastic dummies.
Being plastic free is the right choice, but there
is still a long way to go.
Good luck