Is 'plastic free' a stretch too far? ............................................ There are clever ways to use and deal with plastic waste.

'Plastic' has become a bit of a no-no:
Futures Forum: "Plastic's bad reputation is not always borne out by the facts. Just because a brown cardboard box looks greener than plastic, that doesn't mean it is."

Which is not surprising of course:
Futures Forum: Blue Planet II > How plastic is slowly killing our sea creatures, fish and birds

But there are intelligent ways to make use of plastic waste - and to create new, friendlier plastics:
Futures Forum: Bioplastics > and the circular economy

In response to the current moves in these parts, a correspondent says:

"That’s a great aim to make the town free from plastic waste! Maybe plastic free is a stretch too far? It is such a useful material so integrated into our every day living from phones, computers, cars, electric cables, etc.

"I have felt for a long time that all ‘waste’ especially plastic, should be able to be returned to the shop where it came, so that they are encouraged to recycle it. Supermarkets should lead the way in my opinion.

For example:
What are supermarkets doing to fight plastic? - BBC News
Supermarkets are adding to tide of plastic waste | Daily Mail Online
Iceland becomes first supermarket to go 'plastic-free' for own brand products in landmark announcement | The Independent
Supermarkets must stop using plastic packaging, says former Asda boss | Environment | The Guardian

"In nature often there isn’t really waste, just an opportunity for another cycle of life. You may have heard of a fungi that break down plastics:
Plastic-Eating Fungus Found At A Landfill Site In Pakistan | IFLScience
Two young scientists break down plastics with bacteria | TED Talk

"In effect we can put plastic through a process of bioremediation to break it down into a substance that can be used for other things eg growing trees:

Bioremediation for degradation of marine plastic waste | Knowledge Tank

"Chipping plastic and adding it as an aggregate to concrete blocks. 

Sidmouth could collect and recycle all ‘waste’ plastic in this relatively easy process: 
MIT students fortify concrete by adding recycled plastic | MIT News

"There are obviously other ways of recycling plastic waste, eg into benches, tables, decking, sheet material, all of which are very useful and long lasting, in a good way."

Plus another link from our correspondent:

Biodegradable BPA-free drinks bottles could be made from sugar and fizz from University of Bath on Vimeo.

Scientists make plastic from sugar and carbon dioxide | University of Bath

See also:
Futures Forum: The plastics industry is "incredibly supportive of recycling legislation over a more long-term… reduction of disposable culture."
Futures Forum: Made to last? >>> getting companies to offer a 'lifetime product'

And for a few inspiring new directions for plastics and their alternatives:
Futures Forum: Your takeaway coffee cup is not recyclable - but it might soon be
Futures Forum: The alternatives to plastic
Futures Forum: The End of Plastic
.
.
.