SINGLE-USE plastics are set to be ‘wiped out’ by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC).
Climate emergency boss councillor Gregor Murray, who has been tasked with making Wokingham borough carbon neutral in the next eleven years, is spearheading plans to get rid of single-use plastics.
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The environmental chief was set to ask his colleagues to back proposals to eliminate all ‘non-essential single-use plastics from council-controlled environments as soon as possible’ at a meeting on Thursday, September 19.
Councillors ran out of time to debate this move, but efforts are still being made to progress the plans.
Cllr Murray told the News: “It is an essential step forward in being able to achieve our carbon neutral aims by 2030.
“They (single-use plastics) are one of the biggest scourges at the moment and it would be irresponsible not to take action.”
Cllr Murray said the motion will likely be debated at the November full council meeting.
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Plastic cups have been commonplace at meetings of the council in years gone by.
(pictures taken in May 2019).
However, since the authority declared a climate emergency in July, paper cups have replaced some plastic cups.
(picture taken in September 2019)
The climate emergency executive member added: “The council clearly has got plastic cups at the moment but we are looking to wipe them out of the supply chain.
“It would be irresponsible of us to be discussing plans to get rid of plastics while drinking out of plastic cups.”
The council is also encouraging residents to use refillable cups after it installed a water fountain in Peach Place.
Only one has been installed so far but council bosses are making plans to add the fountains in Earley, Woodley and Twyford, among other places, too.
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“We want to be providing reusable water facilities”, Cllr Murray said.
“The vast majority of people think it’s a really good idea and the next step is finding more places where we can provide these facilities.”
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