Tamworth’s Conservative councillors are backing a motion to reduce plastic waste in Tamworth.
The motion, which town councillors passed at a meeting last week, aims to eliminate plastic waste and litter in Tamworth.
Councillors hope that the council, businesses and residents can work together to tackle the plastic litter that blights our roadsides, streets and open spaces.
The motion recommends that this authority:
• Work towards the elimination of the use of landfill for waste disposal • Ensure that in public spaces are clean and free of plastic waste.
• Support education initiatives to better inform the public on how to use recycling facilities and the importance of eliminating plastic waste.
• Facilitate the cooperation of local businesses, residents and local authorities to work together on the elimination of plastic pollution and reduce the use of plastic in Tamworth.
The government has made progress towards tackling plastic pollution, from the plastic bag tax to banning single-use items such as straws, stirrers and cotton buds. However million tonnes of plastic enters our seas every year, harming marine wildlife, habitats and biodiversity.
Cllr Marie Bailey said, “Plastic is one of the biggest threats to the environment and ecosystem of the United Kingdom. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the correct disposal and management of plastic waste in the community.”
Cllr Chris Cooke said, “It pains me to see plastic litter around when so many bins are provided for use. As a business myself which uses plastic I pay a considerable amount to have mine recycled. It is a great harm not only to the environment and the wildlife but also creates a messy look to the areas it is dropped in.”
Councillors hope that education can help prevent litter being dropped in the first place, as well as the council redoubling its efforts to pick up litter dropped in Tamworth.
Recently the council has undertaken several cleaning schemes of high profile litter got spots and is working with National Highways during the closure of the A5 to clean up litter and plastic waste in the roadside and verges.
The full motion to council is -
To consider the following motion, notice of which has been duly given in accordance with Procedure Rule No. 4.12.1 by Councillors Marie Bailey, Paul Turner, Chris Cooke, Samuel Smith and Robert Pritchard
Tamworth Borough Council is concerned by the scourge of plastic pollution.
It recognises the large impact that plastic pollution has on the environment with between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean each year. The authority believes it is the responsibility of all to combat plastic pollution.
We welcome the talks between the government, businesses, environmental groups, scientists and civil society on shaping a legally-binding global treaty that aims to end plastic pollution by 2040.
The motion recommends that this authority:
• Work towards the elimination of the use of landfill for waste disposal • Ensure that in public spaces are clean and free of plastic waste.
• Support education initiatives to better inform the public on how to use recycling facilities and the importance of eliminating plastic waste.
• Facilitate the cooperation of local businesses, residents and local authorities to work together on the elimination of plastic pollution and reduce the use of plastic in Tamworth.