Working group calls for action on single use plastic in West Norfolk

Council chiefs in West Norfolk are being urged to do more to reduce the amount of single use plastics the authority uses and encourage others to follow suit.

A new report, which is due to be debated next week, has outlined 11 recommendations for action, including expanding existing re-use programmes and promoting the message in local schools.

The proposals have been put forward by a working group set up last summer in response to growing public concern over the issue.

And their report says the council needs to build on the work that is already being done in the area.

The group said: “Increasing action has been taken by many organisations and there is a desire to reduce the use of plastics, recycle them more effectively, and certainly to prevent them from entering the environment.”

The report recommends expanding existing refill water bottle programmes across the borough and more work to promote recycling around tourism businesses, including holiday lets.

It is also calling for the appointment of a member champion on the issue and the establishment of an officer focus group within the council to promote sustainable ways of dealing with the material and reducing its use in the first place.

The report said: “The group note that good practice was already adopted by many staff and departments and they want to promote this and become an example to others.”

The working group is also proposing a design competition in schools for a message promoting reduced plastic use and suggests the winning design could be displayed on bin lorries.

The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the borough council’s environment and community panel at Lynn town hall on Tuesday evening.

Any recommendations which are supported by the panel will be referred to the council’s cabinet member for environment, Ian Devereux.