Plastic is a problem – and was the theme for this month’s Eco Hub.
Bernie Davis reports from the first session on Saturday 10th May – and looks forward to the next on Saturday 24th:
The Plastic Pollution Problem – Eliminating Plastic Packaging
The May topic for Eco Hub Sidmouth is ‘The Plastic Pollution Problem’ and last Saturday Rebecca Honey from Naked Larder was at the TIC to not only explain how plastic packaging is dangerous for both the environment and our human health but also offer an alternative.
Naked Larder is a local refill/zero waste shop that eliminates the need for plastic packaging that is so commonly found in all supermarkets and contributing to single-use plastic waste. With 51% of food and drink sold by supermarkets being unnecessarily packaged in plastic this results in over 29 billion pieces of plastic being generated by the UK every year. Plastic can only be recycled once of twice before it can no longer by used and therefore it ends up in landfills, our oceans/beaches or is incinerated. Rebecca says, “An alternative solution is for the general public to stop buying single-use plastic. Reusing already existing containers and packaging will help to create a circular economy where throw away plastic packaging does not pollute the environment.”
Naked Larder offers over 80 products, all ethically sourced, affordable and without packaging. This includes things such as nuts, seeds, grains, beans, pulses, cereals, organic pasta, organic flour, organic fair-trade coffee beans, dried fruit, organic chocolate, nutritional yeast, non-toxic cleaning products and body products all sulphate free, cruelty free and vegan. A full list of products can be seen on www.nakedlardersidmouth.co.uk and either ordered online for collection or delivery or bought at the shop which is next to the Donkey Sanctuary with a free car park on a Monday afternoon. Operating just out of town keeps costs low and competitive with supermarkets.
More plastic issues will be discussed at Eco Hub Sidmouth on Saturday, 24th May at Sidmouth Library 11:00 to 1:00pm.
Denise Bickley, our new Devon County Councillor and founder of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors, says:
Planet-first Thinking
Plastic is a fantastic resource – when used right. However we are drowning under the amount of single use plastic we generate. When we release plastic in the environment, accidentality or deliberately, it causes damage when it breaks down. Microplastics are defined as tiny plastic fragments, less than 5mm long, and these can be ingested by fish and other animals, and are now being found in human tissues. The long term damage is as yet unknown, but studies are being undertaken. Once plastic reaches the sea, it is very hard to recover and it breaks down fast, distributing microplastics widely – even in the vast Mariana Trench. That’s why we at the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors undertake regular beach and town cleans. We are also campaigning to raise awareness, and at the same time reduce reliance on plastic. We are currently focused on cigarette butts, which, (you’ve guessed it), contain plastic, as well as harmful toxins.
If I could ask for just one thing to change regarding our behaviour, it would be a switch from ‘convenience’ to ‘planet-first thinking’. Not an easy ask I know, but this is our home and we are wrecking it. If making a simple change like switching to refilled fabric conditioner, buying loose vegetables or ensuring cigarette butts are put in the bin not on the ground, will make a difference, why wouldn’t we?”
Beach Cleans every First Sunday of the Month, 10-11, from the Swimming Pool car park.
Sidmouth Plastic Warriors will also be present for a conversation and beach clean at Sea Fest, 17th May. There will be a Plastic Glass Amnesty at Sea Fest so please bring along any festival plastic glasses you have in your cupboard, from any event at all. We are collecting them all in to make a Sidmouth collection that we can loan out for events and festivals, thereby reducing the use of new plastic.
…