Worcester has been awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage for its work to reduce the impact of single-use plastic on the environment.

Independent coffee shops have made pledges to reduce single-use plastic and so too have flag-ship employers such as Fortis Living, The University of Worcester and The Heart of Worcestershire College.

Led by Kim Tanner, the group Plastic Free Worcester started the campaign in spring 2018.

Registering with the SAS Plastic Free Communities movement, Kim, together with a growing core group of Worcester residents, pulled together key organisations and businesses in the town to put in place a five-point plan. The objectives included setting up a community led steering group, instigating the SAS Plastic Free Schools education programme, getting local council commitment and working with local businesses, organisations and community groups to spread the word and minimise the amount of disposable plastics they use.

Worcester City Council’s announcement that they will end the purchase and use of ‘single-use plastic’ for any council related activity has to be the biggest milestone for me,” explains Becky Howarth, one of Plastic Free Worcester’s steering group members.