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Partners in Plymouth join forces for week of action on plastics
4th June 2018
Organisations across Plymouth are working together to tackle the issue of single use plastics and plastic pollution, with a week of action taking place from 1 – 8 June 2018.
Environment Plymouth, the National Marine Aquarium and Plymouth City Council are just some of the organisations getting involved with the week, which includes a series of events. There’s something for everyone, from litter picks and beach cleans to an International Marine Park Conference, culminating with the Britain’s Ocean City Plan For Plastics launch on Friday 8 June.
The high profile week of activities is just the start of the city’s commitment to tackling the scourge of plastic waste and finding a more sustainable future, including working towards Plastic Free Communities accreditation with Surfers Against Sewage. Throughout the week, local partners and the public are encouraged to get involved in events and on social media – just look for the hashtag #PlasticsPledgePlym to find out more and keep up to date.
The delivery of the Plan for Plastics will be driven, monitored and supported by a Britain’s Ocean City Plastics Task Force, with representatives from the public, private, voluntary and academic sectors.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Our Council is committed to working with all partners in the city to become a plastic free city, and to tackle the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans, including the trialling of a new ‘sea-bin’ to collect plastics and other solid materials directly from the sea.”
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment, said: “A plastics taskforce was recently launched in the city to look at this very issue and we are delighted with the level of support and commitment from everyone to look at tackling this important issue, as highlighted by the recent Blue Planet programme. We can all do more to protect our environment, and that is why we will be launching the city’s Plan For Plastics at a special event on World Ocean Day.
“We are also delighted to be able to host the International Marine Park Conference in Plymouth, where we are at the forefront of developing new marine technology and once again to put Britain’s Ocean City on the map. Exciting times lie ahead but we all have a part to play so I urge everyone to get involved and make a difference.”
Penny Tarrant, Chair of Environment Plymouth said: “Environment Plymouth is a network of over 70 organisations from all sectors, plus individuals, working together to offer a unified and independent voice for strategic environmental and sustainability concerns in the city.
“We are delighted to play our part on Britain’s Ocean City Plastics Task Force, alongside the council and other city organisations, to help deliver the Plan for Plastics. It’s great to see everyone pulling together for such a worthwhile goal. We have an amazing amount of expertise in Plymouth, as well as passion and commitment. Harnessing all that will lead to a greener, healthier city by the sea for all of us and the marine inhabitants too.”
See the full list of events during plastic action week here.
More information is available on the Plymouth City Council website.