Thatcham awarded plastic free community status

Thatcham has been awarded plastic free status.

The town was awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage.

It is joining a network of communities across the country who are leading the way in throwing plastic away at source.

Registering with the SAS Plastic Free Communities movement, Nikki Coome, Jenny Kirby, Sam Carpenter and Eloise Morison pulled together organisations and businesses in the town to put in place a five-point plan.

The objectives include setting up a community-led steering group, getting local council commitment and working with local businesses, organisations and community groups to spread the word and minimise the amount of disposable plastics they use.

‘’I’m absolutely thrilled that Thatcham has been awarded Plastic Free Community Status,” said Plastic Free Thatcham community co-lead Nikki Coome.

“Over the past couple of years, we have been asking business, community groups and the council to commit to reducing theire single use plastic one item at a time and we have had an amazing response.

“It reduces litter, the impact on our environment and wildlife and our carbon emissions, making Thatcham a greener and nicer place to live. What’s not to love about that.”

She added: “But we don’t plan to stop there.

“We plan to go further in inviting more business and community groups to join us, as well as working with Thatcham and West Berkshire councils to provide more facilities to reduce single use plastic demand and provide alternatives.

“Watch this space.”

Surfers against Sewage (SAS) is based in St Agnes in Cornwell and says it wants to unite communities to tackle avoidable plastic from the beach all the way back to the brands and businesses who create it.

SAS Plastic Free Communities project manager Rachel Yates said: “It’s great to see the work that Thatcham has done to reduce the availability of avoidable plastics, raise awareness and encourage people to refill and reuse.”