Fifteen businesses in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have this week been praised for their hard work in removing many single-use plastic from their businesses.
At a Town Council meeting on Monday (21st January), the Mayor Cllr Bill Hancock presented certificates and wooden plaques to the businesses across the towns who have qualified as ‘Plastic Free Champions’.
To achieve this they have eliminated at least three different types of single use plastic – such as plastic straws and stirrers, cutlery, glasses, cups and condiment sachets – and replaced these with non-plastic alternative materials.
In doing so, the businesses have successfully removed avoidable forms of plastic waste which would otherwise be destined for landfill or, in some cases, our natural environment.
So far, 15 businesses have worked through the scheme with support from Litter Free Coast & Sea Somerset and the Town Council and in return, have been presented with awards.
In Burnham-On-Sea, these are Round Tower Guesthouse, Round Tower Café, Victoria Hotel, Burrs, Gardiner-Whites, Brit Chips, Coffee Corner, Town Council offices, Princess Theatre, Chatterbox Tea Shop and BOS Dogs.
In Highbridge, the winners are Maisey’s Bakery, The Boathouse Café, Rob’s Fish Bar and Sopha.
Town Clerk Tatiana Cant told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Plastic Free businesses are an important part of the Plastic Free Community campaign organised nationally by the Surfers Against Sewage group.”
“This is just the tip of the iceberg and we really hope that these businesses will inspire others to get on board with reducing their use of plastics.”
In addition to the Plastic Free work, Litter Free Coast & Sea Somerset are running a Business Award Scheme to encourage businesses to consider their full environmental footprint and make changes in their waste arrangements and the products they use to minimise harm to the environment.
Tanya Cox explained that her team was speaking to a number of businesses throughout both Burnham and Highbridge.
She congratulated the local businesses which had become Plastic Free Champions, saying: “This is a great step forward for Burnham and Highbridge. I would like to encourage other local businesses to contact us to find out how we can help you.”
“Many of the changes your business can make are kinder on the environment, will not actually cost you any more financially and we can help you to find alternative materials and suppliers.”
Businesses interested in finding out more about the details about the Business Award Scheme can attend a Business Breakfast organised by Burnham Chamber of Trade this Thursday morning.
