Plastics and recycling

Some of our earliest campaigns were focused on recycling, and we’ve been very successful in introducing recycling schemes throughout the town.

Plastic is everywhere. It’s cheap, easy to make, strong, and has lots of uses. But because plastic waste doesn’t decompose, it causes a scourge not only on our environment, but on wildlife and even on human health.

What’s the problem with plastic?

Our intensive use of cheap plastic means much of it ends up in the ground, degrading at an incredibly slow rate and leaching microplastics into our air, soil, watercourses and even the food chain.

Plastic also contributes to global warming because it’s made from chemicals derived from fossil fuel production. Therefore, whenever we choose to buy plastic, we’re fuelling the demand for petrochemicals, which increases the demand for gas, oil or coal. This is why we need to reduce the total amount of plastic we use, rather than only focusing on recycling.

We’ve consistently shown our support to local businesses who encourage the reduction of plastic packaging in the town and promote recycling.

Our plastic and recycling campaigns

• Funding for Parsons Close recycling centre

  

  A successful application for a grant saw the introduction of a recycling centre in our town centre park.