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DisgraceTV’s
Council chiefs are cracking down on single-use items – like plastic straws – that are damaging the environment.
The Scottish Government have already highlighted the need to end the ‘throwaway culture’ in society.
Public attention was focused on the issue following David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II which was shown on the BBC, and revealed the extent to which nonrecyclable plastics are harming marine wildlife.
And councillors on South Lanarkshire Council’s executive committee will today be given an update on how the local authority is reducing the demand for single-use items such as disposable coffee cups, plastic cutlery and plastic straws.
A report mentioned the “significant media attention” surrounding the harm to wildlife and damage to the landscape, adding: “Council Resources have, on an individual basis, been reviewing the use of single-use items and seeking to reduce or design out their use. These items can range from plastic stirrers to refuse sacks and can have a significant impact on the environment.”
And the council have already:
Removed plastic straws from corporate catering venues.
Done away with plastic cutlery from corporate catering venues (these now need to be requested).
●Piloted bio-degradable food containers in corporate catering venues and high schools
Stopped buying plastic stirrers and replaced them with wooden ones
Purchased recyclable/ bio-degradable products such as food liner bags
And moved to the online provision of reports and documents.
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s community and enterprise resources committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “We have all become increasingly aware of the serious threat posed by plastics to the environment.
“The council has clear policies on sustainability and we must do everything we can to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. “Among many other actions, as part of this we have been working on ways to identify and reduce – and, if possible, eliminate – our use of plastics, especially single use items, including straws. “We are determined to take action on this and ensure that, where possible, we ensure that single use items are no longer available.”