TWO coastal communities have become plastic free, joining a growing movement among towns and villages in the UK.
Broad Haven and Little Haven have been awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), in recognition of the work they have done to start reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment.
Local resident Susan Scarr started the campaign last year after watching Blue Planet II, and announced the launch of the Havens plastic free initiative on March 1 at Broad Haven beach front.
“I’m thrilled with the degree of community backing there has been for the project with so many changes taking place by individuals, businesses and organisations, there has been a very tangible shift in the way we think about plastic,” said Susan.
Susan pulled together key organisations and businesses in the town to put in place a five-point plan, after learning about Aberporth in Ceredigion achieving plastic free status and noticing businesses and organisations in her local villages had started making changes to reduce their single-use plastic.
The objectives include; setting up a community-led steering group, supporting the plastic free schools education programme, getting local council commitment and working with local businesses, organisations and community groups to spread the word.
Local dairy Mathias Dairy has been delivering milk in glass bottles to the villages, allowing many homes, shops, businesses, Broad Haven School and Broad Haven Playgroup to cut their use of plastic milk bottles.
Many businesses have been removing plastic straws, plastic coffee stirrers, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic cutlery and plastic food containers from their premises and replacing with more sustainable alternatives.
Beach cleans led by Keep Wales Tidy and Little Haven Beach Guardians take place on both beaches with many individuals doing their own mini-beach cleans during their trips to the shore. The 2018 Broad Haven Christmas Pudding Run went plastic free with wooden medals on linen string and biodegradable cups.
Susan added: “There is a very real sense of momentum now. We are grateful to The Haven Community Council for offering their full support and look forward to finding more ways to reduce single use plastic further, linking up with other communities, businesses and organisations to spread the plastic free message.”
The Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Community network aims to free the places where we live from single-use.
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