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17 cafés and takeaways across Jesmond and Sandyford, Newcastle have signed up to a community campaign to reduce plastic, following support from the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
Plastic Free Jesmond and Sandyford (PFJS) is a local community campaign, set up by residents and councillors with the aim of eliminating single-use plastics in our communities.
The first phase began in October across South Jesmond and Sandyford, with further expansion into North Jesmond in December.
Sarah Cochrane, owner of Little Green, a participant in the scheme said:
“Cutting plastic in our café and offering cleaning refills in our shop is at the heart of Little Green’s ethos, right from our opening. We’re pleased to get a full set of Plastic Free Jesmond and Sandyford Leaf Stickers to acknowledge our efforts, and we hope the scheme will encourage more local cafés and bars to cut single-use plastics too. Long-term, we’re aiming for our shop to reduce plastic even further by providing grains and other dried foods as refills as well.”
Tony Waterston, chair of Plastic Free Jesmond and Sandyford added: “In talking to local residents and to café and supermarket managers we have found a high awareness of the huge risks to wildlife and the environment of single-use plastics, and a wish to be part of the change process. However businesses are hampered by the lack of ready alternatives and by the lack of suitable plastic recycling in Newcastle. Our initial asks are straightforward – to ditch plastic cutlery, refill water bottles and offer a discount for customers who bring a reusable coffee cup. We’ll be pressing for more radical measures over coming months.”
Plastic Free Jesmond and Sandyford will be organising an all day event called Plastic Freedom at the Star and Shadow Cinema on February 3 2019: there will be talks, film showings, and a plastic-free makers market, in addition to arts and crafts for families.
For further information visit www.facebook.com/plasticfreejesmond.