Pacific Oyster
Volunteer
PLASTIC FREE FALMOUTH
Image copyright@symages
THE ISSUE & THE AIM
Plastic pollution has sadly become synonymous with any coastal activity, from surfing to swimming, beach holidays to wildlife watching – it is simply an expected part of our experience. This is why marine plastic pollution, and specifically tackling society’s throwaway, excessive or unnecessary plastic culture, is now Surfers Against Sewage’s top priority. Plastic pollution is an issue that connects the environment with all parts of society, and is something that we can take action on at every level. Indeed, it will only be through concrete, collective, positive action that we will be able to catalyse the shift that is needed to stop the flood of plastic pollution from overwhelming our world.
The Plastic Free Falmouth working collective was founded by FMC aiming to make Falmouth a Plastic-Free town, with 12 resistant hubs in the form of local businesses dotted around Falmouth. There now an ever-growing number of business signing up thanks to the Plastic Free Falmouth Movement.
If you want to get involved in our movement, contact us, like us on Facebook and stay tuned for more Plastic Free news!
Read below for information about how we are taking action and see all of our resistance hubs!
SAS OBJECTIVES TO BE PLASTIC FREE
OBJECTIVE 1: LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Requirements for Victory:
Local Council (County, Town, Parish or Community) passes a resolution to support Plastic Free Coastlines, committing to plastic free alternatives and supporting plastic free initiatives within the constituency.
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Council must lead by example to remove single-use plastic
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items from their premises.
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Council to encourage plastic free initiatives, promoting the campaign and supporting events.
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A representative of the council must be named on the Plastic Free Coastlines steering group
Why?
Local councils are in a unique position to lead change within local areas. They act as consumers, using single-use plastics in canteens, meetings, and during daily business. They are influencers, having direct access to the running of local schools, businesses and community organisations. Finally they work as
a political body, often with cross-party members; showing unity on an action can install confidence and determination to succeed.
OBJCTIVE 2: RESISTANCE HUBS: LOCAL BUSINESSES
Requirements for Victory:
At least three single-use plastic items removed from 12 local businesses and retailers; replaced with sustainable alternatives.
Why?
Removing the option to purchase and/or use single-use plastics is the easiest way to avoid them. Making suitable, sustainable alternatives readily available to customers will bring about a change in behaviour and reduce the amount of throw-away plastic in our society.
How Can My Business Join The PFF Movement?
#ReFillFalmouth is part of this objective, you can read more below!
Find out more about our Resistance Hubs and ReFill Stations right here in Falmouth!
OBJECTIVE 3: PLASTIC FREE ALLIES
Requirements for Victory:
This objective provides the opportunity to gain widespread community support for Plastic Free Coastlines, spreading the Plastic Free message and establishing the call to arms against Wasteland.
We are engaging schools, universities, scouts, guides and fitness centres to get onboard with our Plastic Free movement. The more evidence provided of Plastic Free Coastlines being adopted by the local community, the increased effectiveness of Plastic Free Coastlines.
OBJECTIVE 4: ON THE GROUND ACTION - PLASTIC FREE RALLIES
Requirements for Victory:
At least two local community events arranged and made open for all to attend, in one calendar year.
We already have some beach cleans scheduled for this calendar year - you can find out more about our events and how to join in here!
OBJECTIVE 5: LOCAL RESISTANCE STRATEGIC GROUPS
Requirements for Victory:
Local group of stakeholders to meet at least once per year to discuss the progress of Plastic Free Coastlines locally; agreeing and setting direction, meeting objectives, and completing application for official Plastic Free Coastlines status.
Plastic Free Falmouth is a steering group for this campaign, supported by FMC and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. We meet regularly to plan and discuss action to fulfil our objectives to make Falmouth plastic free. If you want to get involved in our movement, contact us!
#ReFILLCornwall
The ReFILL model was first initiated in Bude, Cornwall, by a small team of volunteers and with funding and support from Beachcare (Keep Britain Tidy). From here the word has spread and thanks to the work of City to Sea in Bristol there are now several ReFILL locations all over the UK, all of which are connecting as a network on their new ReFILL rewards app.
We believe that together we have the power to roll out this disposable bottle-busting scheme into all Cornish communities. Including Falmouth! #ReFILLCornwall will form part of a 5 point Surfer's Against Sewage action plan to make Falmouth a Plastic Free Coastline
Contact us about getting involved.
Phase 2 of #ReFILLFalmouth is that we also have our own individually branded reusable water bottles that have been funded through the Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Your Shore Beach Rangers Project. You can buy our bottles here or at these retailers in Falmouth, the profit of which will support the local conservation activities of the Falmouth Marine Conservation Group well into the future.