Join the plastic free revolution this July

What are you doing in July? Why not start or continue your quest for reducing plastic waste and share your #PlasticFreePledge with us!

Plastic Free July is a global movement urging everyone to limit their use of single-use plastic. Don’t worry, no one is expecting you to go completely plastic-free, it’s all about reducing, reusing and recycling what we do use.

The problem with plastic is that it’s derived from fossil fuels and much of it, especially single-use plastic such as drink bottles, carrier bags and takeaway containers, if not sent for recycling ends up being incinerated – its production and disposal emits millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. In addition, plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it breaks down into micro particles that could contaminate our environment, with microplastics polluting our water and wildlife and even our food.

What has the council done to reduce plastic?

In 2019, we declared a climate emergency and are committed to become carbon neutral by 2030, as well as become a net zero carbon district by 2040. We follow a Climate Change Strategy and action plan and specifically around plastic we:

• have worked with our contractors Stevenage Leisure Limited to reduce single-use plastic from our leisure facilities in Royston, Letchworth and Hitchin such as swapping blue plastic overshoes for flip flops. And did you know if you use a reusable cup in one of our leisure centre cafés we’ll top it up to large for free!
  
• swapped disposable cups to glassware at the council offices and Hitchin Town Hall.
  
• as well as providing a kerbside recycling service, we have installed more recycling bins in our parks and high streets so you can also recycle plastic on the go.
  
• support county campaigns such as Herts Sustainable Periods and real nappies (see below).

What can I do?

Firstly, even little changes can help make a big difference – trying to give up one to three items of single-use plastic, even for a month will have an impact:

• Use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water and take a reusable cup when you go for that coffee – you can refill your water bottle at lots of places (check out the Refill app) including water fountains in parks and leisure facilities:
  • Avenue Park, Baldock
  • Bancroft Park, Hitchin
  • Hitchin Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • Letchworth Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • North Herts Leisure Centre, Letchworth
  • Priory Memorial Gardens, Royston.
• We are all getting better at reducing our use of plastic carrier bags but make sure you always remember to take your cloth bags shopping – maybe leave them in your car – or if you get your food delivered refuse bags if you can.
  
• Did you know period products can contain 90% fossil fuel-based plastic? There are lots of benefits to sustainable period products – they’ll save you money and are better for you and the planet. Or perhaps you have a child in nappies? Did you know avoiding just one day of disposable nappies saves around 17 plastic bags worth of plastic! Switching to reusable nappies is easy, sustainable and needn't cost the earth – Hertfordshire residents get 15% discount on both schemes.

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Executive Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “We can all reduce our use of single-use plastics which cause untold devastation to the world’s environment, polluting our oceans and destroying wildlife. With everyone making small changes, we can all reduce our reliance on plastic – follow our top tips throughout July on social media to help you reduce your plastic use for the future.”

Cllr Amy Allen, Executive Member for Recycling and Waste added: “Although recycling plastic is important, and we have all the information about what you can recycle and where, reducing and even stopping the use and therefore production of certain types of plastic is vital in making a real difference to our planet. For instance, my family has swapped to getting milk delivered in glass bottles instead of buying it in single-use plastic bottles.”

We’ll be tweeting information about reducing, reusing and recycling plastic and our top tips every day throughout July @NorthHertsDC. Share your #PlasticFreePledge with us on Twitter, or on Facebook, Instagram or Nextdoor.

More information: Plastic Free July – local groups and events