Programme Action has developed a list of information related to recycling and reduced use of plastic. The idea is to support places and shops that make an effort to reduce the use of plastic and to take individual responsibility for recycling and being aware of using plastics. Hopefully, this list is just a beginning and Liz N encourages anyone with further knowledge to contact her so the list may be kept up-to-date and relevant.
Good Practice
– National Trust now uses biodegradable wrapping for their magazine. They are made from potato starch.
– City Hall sells reusable cups in their canteen.
– Waitrose to plan to get rid of plastic cups by Autumn 2018.
– A Swindon firm ‘Recycling Technology’ has developed a process to recycle previously non-recyclable plastic items.
– Ann Garvie is producing a document “Sustainable Development Goals – What we can do”. See SIGBI web site.
– Loaves & Fishes – supply sandwiches for the homeless (as of March 2018)
– Wet wipes are to be banned.
Shops and Supermarkets
– The Co-op made a commitment to reduce disposable plastics (As of January 2018).
– Scoopaway – supplies paper bags.
– Wild Oats- Ethical policy, refill on laundry items, shampoo, etc. – see their Web site – Ethic section.
– Davino Deli – refills for olive oil.
– Harvest Gloucester Rd – Ethical policy. Vegetarian & GM-free products. Supplies paper bags.
– Whitards Tea bags do not contain plastic
– Some shops encourage individuals to use own non-disposable cups by reducing the charge.
Individuals
– At some shops, customers can take own containers for ‘wet’ items.
– Collapsible reusable cups are supplied by Pokito.
– WI member makes wraps for food using beeswax – disposable, biodegradable & reusable.
– A man in Java collects plastic bottles & converts them into building blocks.
Schools
– Children are picking up plastic straws form beaches.
– Schools are campaigning against non-disposable plastics.
– Environmental issues are part of the Junior & Senior School curriculum.
– Make displays showing rubbish that should have been recycled.
University of West of England
Is avoiding waste by:
– encouraging Source Cafe customers to buy reusable cups.
– using compostable packaging for all In-house takeaway products.
– converting waste cooking oil into biofuel for lorries that deliver to UWE. Every 1000 litres of waste oil recycled represents a saving of 2 tonnes of carbon.
– providing access to mains drinking water at points all over the campus to refill bottles or cups to reduce the impact of single use plastics.
– supporting Refill Bristol.
Poor practice
– Use of plastic straws especially black.
– Use of black plastic bags & containers.
– Tea bags containing plastic e.g., PG tips, which has no plans to change.
Articles
Recyclability of Black Plastic – www.wrap.org.uk.
Campaigns
– 38 Degrees are putting pressure on Yorkshire Tea, Typhoo, Tetly7Twinings to remove plastic from tea bags – see their website.
– WI – End Plastic Soup – thewi.org.uk endplastic soup.