‘Plastic-free’ town marks its achievement … with a 10ft plastic flag
A TOWN celebrated its “plastic-free” status by hanging up a giant banner that was made of plastic.
Officials in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, were mocked after a 10ft banner was hung from a 13th-century stone archway to mark its recently awarded plastic-free status by an environmental group.
It was proudly placed in the town centre with the words: “Plastic Free Chepstow”, but the triangular blue and white flag was ridiculed as “beyond irony” by the town’s former mayor.
The ancient border town of Chepstow was granted the status by environmental group Surfers Against Sewage.
The banner was placed over the landmark stone archway in a ceremony to celebrate the status. But Armand Watts, Chepstow town councillor and former mayor, wants it to be taken down just days after it was hung at the weekend. Mr Watts said: “This is beyond irony. The town council probably hadn’t even thought about the material.
“If this is non-biodegradable, then it clearly should be removed and replaced.”
The town’s achievement comes after four months of preparation and campaigning by the group Plastic Free Chepstow.
And the group was further mocked for claiming on social media that plastic was “more practical than the alternative”.
It said: “Yes the banner is plastic. We looked into it and decided that plastic was much more practical than the alternatives. It will be used many times and disposed of responsibly at the end of its life.”
A spokesman for the group said: “To clarify, we are focusing on trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastics used in town. That is ‘disposable’ or ‘throwaway’ items such as crisp packets, polystyrene food takeaway containers and plastic takeaway coffee cup lids.
“We understand, of course, that it is often absolutely necessary to use plastic products, like our banner.
“However, it is important that, when we do, they are well-designed, durable and long-lasting.
“I’m sure we’ll be using this banner for many years to come.”