Plastic-Free Ampthill

We want to work towards a future of zero plastic.

The Plastic Free Communities initiative from Surfers Against Sewage started out as a beach cleaning programme which has grown to look at the sources of the plastic waste, largely single-use plastic, ending up on our beaches. We are a long way from the sea in Ampthill, but plastic litter from our streets spoils our environment, harms wildlife, and will end up in our drains and streams and then in our rivers and in the sea and on our beaches. Our choices about packaging and what we do with it have an impact beyond our own homes and lifestyles.

Ampthill Against Plastic LogoACCG has registered Ampthill with the Plastic Free Communities Initiative. That doesn't mean we have no plastic or use no plastic, it means we start to work as a community to reduce our use of single-use plastic and plastic packaging. It is early days yet, but all those who have helped with litter picking know that dealing with litter is about the sources of the litter as well as the behaviour that generates it, and how much of what we pick up is plastic waste!

Ampthill Climate Change Group will be supporting and working with Plastic Free Ampthill to help our town move towards being 'Plastic-Free'. This is not just a paper exercise; we will need help from you!  Local shops, restaurants, pubs and businesses, schools, youth groups such as Scouts and Guides, places of worship and individuals can all be part of this initiative and help us reduce single use plastic in our area.

What businesses in Ampthill currently offer plastic-free alternatives?*

  • Re-phils (Re-phil's - Zero Waste, Delivery Service) is a mobile retailer of foods and non foods items offering products in compostable or recyclable packaging.
  • At both Waitrose and Tesco you can take your own containers to the meat, fish and deli counters to avoid having to use plastic wrapping.

(We are in the process of updating our info, if you are a local business offering plastic-free products or products in plastic-free packaging please let us know.)

The Refill app - reducing the number of single use plastic water bottles

We are privileged in this country to be able to obtain clean water from the tap yet we get through billions of bottles of water each year in the UK (7.7 billion in 2017). To help you get free clean water whilst out and about Refill.org.uk have launched a Refill app campaign where local organisations and businesses can sign up and offer free water refills for your own flask or cup.

The Ampthill businesses participating in this scheme are:

  • Absolutely Shabbylass
  • Find Vintage
  • The White Hart
  • Costa Coffee
  • Starbucks in Centre Parcs

Please let us know if you're an Ampthill business and have also joined the scheme.

You can also download the free Refill app to find participating places in the UK to use when you're away. Get Involved - Refill - Join the Refill Revolution and prevent plastic

What are our next steps?

The focus of the group going forward is to encourage the overall reduction in plastic rather than recycling, or replacing plastic with compostable materials (which are mainly not compostable at home, go to landfill or incineration where they release CO2 into the atmosphere and still need energy to produce).

There’s so much more that we can do and it can be creative, fun, and family friendly as well as focussed. From community events, to speaking to or writing to local businesses; if you’re passionate about this issue and want to get involved, please get in touch.

* Details of businesses and services listed are for information only and are not recommendations.

Find out more about Surfers Against Sewage here: https://www.sas.org.uk/about-the-movement/
Also, follow the link to the “SAS PFC Talking Points” document, which explains more about why going Plastic Free is important and what we can do as a community.

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