Chesterfield plastic free campaigners call on businesses to pledge to reduce disposable plastics

Environmental activists in Chesterfield are urging pubs, cafes and restaurants in the town to pledge to reduce their single-use plastics as they open up indoors next week, following the pandemic.
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As hospitality businesses plan to welcome customers inside their premises from Monday, May 17 – campaign action group, Plastic Free Chesterfield are calling on companies to ‘build back greener’ from the Covid-19 crisis by committing to using fewer disposable plastics.

A survey from marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) survey last year found that 63% of respondents want to decrease their personal consumption of plastic packaging and 60% want to use refillable containers more once lockdown eases.

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Chesterfield was recently awarded ‘Plastic Free Communities’ status by SAS after campaigners helped fulfil the conservation organisation’s five objectives to tackle throw away plastic.

People raising their glasses as pubs with outdoor facilities reopened on April 30, 2021. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.People raising their glasses as pubs with outdoor facilities reopened on April 30, 2021. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.
People raising their glasses as pubs with outdoor facilities reopened on April 30, 2021. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.

Plastic Free Chesterfield Community lead Greg Hewitt, who is championing the Build Back Greener campaign, said: "One of the best swaps that pubs, restaurants and cafes can make is to offer free water refills, along with accepting the public's reusable coffee cups and containers.

"This can be logged on the 'Refill' app which people can download to find where they can reduce their single-use plastic and use reusables.

"By doing so, Chesterfield can join the Refill Revolution."

The campaign group is offering to support businesses with advice on how to reduce their single-use plastics, listing swaps they can take on their website, along with a Facebook group to network and ask questions from other businesses who have made changes, to inspire others to make the pledge.

Chesterfield was recently awarded 'Plastic Free Community' status.Chesterfield was recently awarded 'Plastic Free Community' status.
Chesterfield was recently awarded 'Plastic Free Community' status.
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Businesses who can make at least three swaps away from single-use plastic will be awarded the status as a Plastic Free Champion business, gaining a certificate and plaque, as well as ‘free publicity’ from the group.

Plastic Free Chesterfield partnered with City to Sea over the last year, who have worked with experts to develop guidance for businesses to support them in safely accepting reusables during Covid.

Businesses or entrepreneurs in Chesterfield wishing to join the Build Back Greener initiative should get in touch with the campaign group through their website, to access more information.

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