Make Sidmouth plastic free > campaigns, actions and petition launched

There are more and more local initiatives to rid us of plastic pollution...

It's happening in small-town Devon:
Futures Forum: Plastic and Modbury, Devon: ten years on >>> getting things done in small places

Local councils are having to be more proactive:
Futures Forum: Plastic and councils: introducing national recycling standards

Volunteer groups are taking things into their own hands:
Futures Forum: "Stop plastic pollution in our oceans" >>> Surfers Against Sewage bring their campaign to Devon

And there are initiatives to encourage responsible tourism:
Futures Forum: Encouraging tourists to stop using plastic water bottles

The latest Herald carries two stories on what's happening in the Sid Valley:

Sidmouth and Ottery breaking news and sport - Sidmouth Herald

Meanwhile, a petition has been launched in Sidmouth:

Petition launched to make Sidmouth plastic-free

PUBLISHED: 10:55 08 January 2018 | UPDATED: 10:55 08 January 2018

Stephen Sumner

A petition has been launched calling for Sidmouth to become a plastic-free town.

Denise Bickley, who started the campaign, said the ‘beautiful’ resort ‘deserves more than being a litter bin’ and it should be at the forefront of change coming across the country.

She is calling on the town council to seriously consider installing water fountains, encourage retailers to stop selling bottled drinks and for eateries and supermarkets to stop giving away plastic straws, cutlery and cup lids.

The petition also says more recycling bins should be installed on the seafront and throughout the town and traders should be encouraged to stop using plastic bags.

Denise said: “Sidmouth is a beautiful town that deserves more than being a litter bin. “Let us take the brave step of encouraging local traders, local people and tourists all alike to look after our beautiful town and find ways to change our throwaway society. “We do regular beach and street cleans but this is not enough against the tidal wave of rubbish being thrown away every day.”

Click here to view the petition.

Petition launched to make Sidmouth plastic-free | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald


Here it is: having collected over 5000 signatures so far:

Make Sidmouth 

a single-use-plastic-free town

Denise Bickley Sidmouth, United Kingdo

Sidmouth is a beautiful town that deserves more than being a litter bin - we should be at the forefront of the change coming over the country, where we have all had enough of seeing plastic bags, straws, cups, balloons, and especially bottles, all over the ground, in the rivers, streams and sea, on the beach, in bushes and trees - everywhere. Let us take the brave step of encouraging local traders, local people and tourists all alike to look after our beautiful town and find ways to change our throwaway society. We do regular beach and street cleans but this is not enough against the tidal wave of rubbish being thrown away every day.

We ask that the Town Council:- 

> seriously consider installing water fountains; 
> encourage all local traders to stop selling bottles of drinks; 
> encourage all local supermarkets, restaurants and cafés to stop selling or giving away plastic straws or plastic cutlery; 
> encourage all local cafés to stop selling coffee in non-recyclable cups with plastic lids; 
> provide more recycling bins on the sea front and throughout the town; 
> encourage traders to stop giving away or selling plastic bags; 
> and  promote awareness that Sidmouth is a plastic-free town.

Petition · Sidmouth Town Council Chairman - Councillor Ian Mckenzie-Edwards: Make Sidmouth a single-use-plastic-free town · Change.org
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