Wokingham Borough Council has announced it is committed to drastically reducing the amount of single use plastics consumed across the borough as part of its goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
At the full council meeting held last week, the council confirmed that it is focused on ensuring that, wherever possible, single use plastics are eliminated from use within the Council, and all Council controlled environments, as soon as possible.
As a result of the overwhelming evidence about the impact that single use plastics have on the climate, seas, rivers and broader environments, the Council will be phasing out, where possible, the purchase of single-use plastic products through services commissioned by them. It was agreed that regular reports would be brought to future committee meetings, presenting the Council’s plans to eliminate single-use plastic from the organisation, including a timetable for doing so.
The council will also be working with businesses, community groups and residents to share advice, ideas and best practice on using sustainable alternatives, as well as working with schools to support the aspiration of the borough’s young people to eliminate plastic waste from our environment.
The Council also aims to take their campaign county-wide by reaching out to neighbouring Councils to tackle single use plastic use across Berkshire.
“We are proactively working to eliminate the use of single-use plastics where it is not essential as we understanding the devastating effects it has on our environment,” said Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for climate emergency.
“We are leading by example, having already removed all single-use coffee and water cups from our drink dispensing machines at our council offices and put in place waste and recycling points to encourage staff to think twice about what they throw away.
“By engaging with businesses, schools, and residents we can achieve a greater impact. With our partners Cater Link, we have reduced the use of single-use plastics within many of our school kitchens with the removal of cling film, plastic cups, straws, bottles and the introduction of reusable plastic pots and containers and fully recyclable packaging materials”.
For further information about Wokingham Borough Council’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 visit www.wokingham.gov.uk and search climate emergency action plan July 2020.
