Thatcham Town Council keen to adopt plastic-free charter

Thatcham Town Council has expressed interest in adopting a plastic-free charter.

The initiative comes from Eco Friends West Berkshire, which is working to get local authorities, businesses and organisations to obtain Plastic Free Community Approved status by Surfers Against Sewage.

Plastic Free Thatcham – which is working with Eco Friends West Berkshire – said it is trying to bring people together to tackle throwaway plastic.

It is focusing on reducing reliance on single-use plastic and changing the system that produces it rather than removing all plastic from our lives.

The initiative focuses on 10 ‘main offenders’ that businesses and organisations should reduce using, providing or selling.

These are plastic carrier bags, disposable coffee cups and lids, single use plastic cups, plastic food or product packaging, balloons and balloon sticks, plastic straws and cutlery – both of which are banned by law – sachets, bathroom plastics and plastic drinking bottles.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the town council’s recreation and amenities committee.

It has been recommended for approval at the next full council meeting.

Member of Plastic Free West Berkshire Jenny Kirby, who also runs Thatcham Refillable, said: “I am so pleased that Thatcham Town Council is fully on board and embraced the idea of the event charter to reduce single use plastic.

“This is something that Eco Friends, which is pushing the Plastic Free Thatcham initiative, is keen to roll out to other events in the area.

“The single use plastic free event charter will also make it easier for people and groups to see where they can make changes when planning an event big or small in Thatcham helping us towards achieving 'single use' plastic free status for Thatcham.”

Anyone interested can contact Plastic Free Thatcham at plasticfree@eco-friends.org.uk