26/06/2023
Very please to be part of Plastic Free Brockenhurst! 💚
Brockenhurst has joined a network of communities across the UK who are leading the way to tackle throw away plastic at source. The village has been awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), in recognition of the work it has done to start reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment.
Local residents and members of Greener Brockenhurst started the campaign at the end of year after wanting to do something to help the village on its journey to go Plastic Free. Living in the New Forest National Park it is important to consider our surroundings and encourage everyone to help the environment and reduce the amount of single-use plastic.
Registering with the SAS Plastic Free Communities movement, Greener Brockenhurst pulled together key organisations and businesses in the village to put in place a five-point plan. The objectives include; 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.
The group have had fantastic backing for the campaign particularly from the community groups in the village who have all shown great commitment and support for the campaign. We now have in excess of 12 Community groups who have signed their pledge to become community allies and consider ways to cut down on the amount of plastic they use in their activities. They have also pledged to communicate the aims of the campaign to their members. These include St Saviours Church, the Scouts, Brownies, Mother’s Union, Allotment Association, Brockenhurst Village Hall, Brockenhurst Business Association, Brockenhurst Cricket Club and the Brockenhurst WI.
Businesses have also played their part in winning the accreditation and made pledges on initiatives they will take to cut down on the plastic they use. Businesses who become Plastic Free Champions will display a badge of accreditation, so please look out for them around the village. The group are looking forward to more businesses taking the pledge to become champions as there are many that share the same ideals …so businesses please step forward and sign up at [email protected] and we will guide you through and more can be found at www.plasticfree.org.uk/get-involved/business/