A NEW initiative to tackle single-use plastics is arriving in Launceston.

With experts warning that we have a matter of years before damage to our planet is irreversible, the natural world is in desperate need of action. Across the country, and the world, groups and individuals are leading the way in creating positive change, encouraging conversations and raising awareness of how the planet is coming to a decline.

Environmental charity Greenpeace has warned that ‘there is no planet B’, and is spreading the all important message on how we can change our lifestyles to take action against climate change, the most effective measurements including clean energy, ending fracking and focusing on air pollution, among others.

However, as well as the crisis surrounding climate change, another battle continues — the war against plastics.

In North Cornwall, groups in Bude have helped enormously in spreading the message about the danger of plastics, including 2minutebeachclean, A Greener Bude, ReFILL Bude, Bude Cleaner Seas Project and Bude Rubbish Action Group.

Single-use plastics have proved to be detrimental to the environment, killing marine wildlife and birds and now being found to have a direct impact on humans. Plastic is everywhere, and communities are being urged to review their own lifestyles to see where they can make changes for the better.

Now a young woman is hoping to bring this positive change to Launceston, having launched a new initiative supported by Surfers Against Sewage — ‘Plastic Free Launceston’ — and lots of people and businesses have already pledged their support.

Olivia Riby, from the town, posted a request on social media last week to see if any businesses would be interested in supporting the project, which would focus on eliminating single-use plastics across Launceston.

In her post, she asked if any businesses would be willing to pledge their support. She was delighted to see such a swift response from a variety of different businesses.

Meg Terry from Meg Terry Mobile Hair, who is due to be opening her own salon in Market House Arcade in the coming weeks, was quick to respond to Olivia’s request, and asked if they could discuss ways in which Meg’s business could be more ‘eco-friendly’.

Meg said: “I’ve always been interested in the environment and it worries me what may become of our planet. Whilst ‘mobile’, if my clients didn’t recycle I would always take my empty packaging home with me to avoid it going in the bin.

“It’s sad to see such few people interested but I, like many others, have been inspired by the ‘David Attenborough effect’, which has definitely made the world wake up and realise that we should all come together to fight this environmental challenge.”

Meg, who is currently renovating her salon and has hopes for it to be ready in May, added: “Now that I will be in the salon, I will try to be as plastic free as possible and where I can, I won’t be offering any single use resources. I think it’s important for the individual to refuse plastic as much as possible as its supply and demand, which would encourage businesses to reduce plastic and therefore the government.”

Also supportive was Pat Clark from Veg in the Shed, an already eco-focused fruit and vegetable shop situated on Pennygillam Industrial Estate, and Adam Page from Devon and Cornwall Windows, who expressed concern about his business’ use of plastic.

Pat Clark and her family set up Veg in the Shed on Pennygillam Industrial Estate in August 2018 due to the increasing amount of unnecessary wrapping on ‘poor quality fresh produce’.

“Our aim was to offer a plastic free buying option with local seasonal and organic fruit and vegetables,” Pat told the Post. “We have paper bags that are compostable, thick paper bags to take heavier items, which are also great for storing and keeping items fresh. These can also be reused.

“Our eggs are supplied in trays, we ask customers to bring in their own egg boxes in which they happily do, and bring extras too!”

Veg in the Shed recently introduced an eco household cleaning refill system as well as a selection of dry food refills too.

“We are making small steps, but it’s hard to get away from plastic. We do have products in plastic packaging. They are recyclable but there is no reason those items cannot be refilled or reused around the home rather than just discarded,” Pat continued.

Welcoming Plastic Free Launceston, she said: “There is still more we need to do as individuals and a business. As consumers, we need to put more effort into reducing our waste and be mindful of how items are packaged.

“Maybe that means using the local businesses that are trying to help the cause, rather than a one-stop shop at the supermarkets. It may need a little more effort — I feel a small price to pay — using refill options over buy and replace, and being aware of where these places are available in Launceston.

“As suppliers, we need to look at better product options for retail, but also be able to offer good quality products. We need to pressure manufacturers to look at better options with packaging, especially when it comes to refill products. We need more ideas on how we can reduce waste and dispose, rather than just recycling centres.

“We ourselves are nowhere near perfect, but we are trying. There is so much to learn and I hope that with the help of others within the group and with shared knowledge we can work to improve ourselves and our community and get things changed.”

The plastic free communities initiative is run by Surfers Against Sewage, focusing on eliminating single-use plastic and changing the system that produces it. With just over 500 plastic free communities looking to make a difference in the UK, Olivia now hopes to lead Launceston in this venture.

She will follow a ‘community toolkit’, provided by Surfers Against Sewage, which includes gaining support from local governance, encouraging businesses to sign up and reduce single-use plastics, spreading the message to the wider community, hold litter picks or other awareness-raising events, and setting up a steering group to take the campaign forward. These are the steps that need to be taken in order to achieve plastic free status.

Olivia is currently speaking to local businesses in Launceston to discuss their pledge of support.

Pick up the Post to keep updated on Plastic Free Launceston’s progress. For more information about Plastic Free Communities, visit www.sas.org.uk/your-community-toolkit

How are you ensuring your business or lifestyle is as plastic free as possible? Email [email protected] to give other readers some ideas!