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Reducing the Use of Plastics (updated 8 November 2018)

SI Bristol is concerned about the amount of single-use plastics and disposal of goods containing plastic have on the environment – air, land, rivers, seas and oceans. In order to learn more about what happens in our area, various institutions and companies were asked how they were dealing with this issue. Articles from the press, magazines and social media were collected to give members a sound understanding of the dangers of plastic waste and how it can be reduced and cleared from the environment.

The responses received were mainly encouraging but often slow to make an immediate impact. Some companies were making positive changes, e.g.,

  • Only using non-disposable plastic cups, using non-plastic cups, and encouraging customers to bring their own cups, containers or bags.
  • Taking plastic out of tea bags
  • Reducing packaging
  • Using non-plastic, vegetable-based  compostable envelopes for mass mailings.

Junior and senior schools were introducing environmental studies, educating about the risks associated with plastic disposal and thereby influencing the younger generation.

Every day we hear of new initiatives, e.g., no longer using plastic straws, banning wipes containing plastic but there is so much further to go to make an impact – locally and globally. Plastic waste is an issue every one of us must take responsibly. Vast amounts of plastic – some taking hundreds of years to completely decompose – ends up in our oceans, killing fish and reducing the ocean’s health.

Refill Bristol – colleges are providing drinking water points on-site for students to fill their own water bottles rather than purchase single-use bottle of water.

Future – SI Bristol will continue to campaign against the use of plastic where alternatives are available. On 15th November, members will be visiting the Bristol Waste Company to glean further information about action to follow. Watch this space.

Recycling And Elimination of Single-Use Plastics

We encourage members to support cafes and shops who encourage individuals to use their own reusable cups and containers. This practice is becoming more common.
Schools are encouraging students to recycle whatever local councils allow and to restrict use of plastic. National curriculum programmes include many aspects of environmental science.
The University of West England (UWE) encourages use of reusable ‘Keep’ cups and uses compostable packaging for in-house takeaway products. Waste cooking oil is converted into biofuel for lorries that deliver to UWE. Every 1,000 litres of wast oil recycled represents a saving of 2 tonnes of carbon. Supports ‘Refill Bristol’ by providing access to mains drinking water points all over campus to refill bottles and cups.
Recycling black plastic is possible (www.wrap.org.uk) but is not currently done in Bristol. 

RSPB and National Trust now use compostable vegetable-based envelopes for posting their magazines. Members are encouraged to contact their MP to request legislature for such mailers to be used universally.