18.10.19
Cambridge City Council joins plastic pledge action
Cambridge City Council has got on board with the Cambridge Plastic Pledge, urging local businesses and organisations to make a change this year to reduce their single-use plastic contribution.
Various organisations in the area, such as Visit Cambridge, Great Days Out In & Around Cambridge and Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity, developed the pledge to expose the impact single-use plastic has on the environment and encourage people to take action against it.
It calls for one change a year, the theory being that if every organisation in Cambridge does this, the impact will be significant. Changes can include the way they use plastic, using and alternative or cutting down on usage.
Significant changes have already been put into place by Cambridge City Council. They are supporters of the national refill campaign, which promotes over 100 free drinking water taps in Cambridge in a bid to reduce the number of people regularly buying plastic bottles.
They have measures in place to ensure that council buildings, including leisure centres and sheltered housing schemes do not use plastic cutlery. This also goes for food and drink traders at Cambridge Market, who are obligated to use biodegradable plates, cups and straws.
Suggestions for change include using refillable bottles or coffee cups, buying loose fruit, veg and other refillables refusing plastic straws and lids and re-using or re-cycling plastic wherever possible.
Councillor Rosy Moore, executive councillor for Climate Change, Environmental Services and City Centre, said:
“We are in a climate and biodiversity emergency, and it is important that we all look at what we can do to help ease the strain on our planet.
“The Cambridge Plastic Pledge is about encouraging local businesses and organisations to be self-aware about their environmental impact and be pro-active in making a meaningful step to reduce it. I urge Cambridge business and organisations to sign up to the pledge and help make a difference.”
“The greatest environmental benefit comes from reducing the consumption of our resources, however if this is not possible then seeking reusable options is the next best thing. It is important to ensure that as much as possible of the plastic you do use is recycled in your blue bins.”
Plastic remains in the natural environment for hundreds of years, due to its extremely durable consistency. The effect of which can be devastating to wildlife, our food chain and our oceans.
Residents of Cambridge have been reminded of other ways they can reduce their carbon footprint, such as cycling or walking whenever possible, using the washing line when possible and taking shorter showers.
This comes the same week as the government announces a first-of-its-kind Climate Change Committee, chaired by PM Boris Johnson.
Photo Credit : Tim Ireland PA Images