Bedford Borough Council to Become Single-Use Plastic Free

Mayor Dave Hodgson's Executive has resolved that Bedford Borough Council will become 'single-use' plastic-free by the end of 2020.

Single-use plastics are only used once before they are thrown away and because they are plastic, they take a long time to break down. This includes things such as plastic cups, cutlery, straws and bottles.

Across the country there is a growing awareness of the need to tackle the problem of plastic waste pollution. Under Mayor Dave Hodgson's leadership, Bedford Borough Council is taking the lead locally by working to eliminate single-use plastics.

This will include the Council working with its service suppliers, raising awareness among Council staff, replacing plastic cups and bottles at events and ensuring there is greater access to standpipes, and working with local schools.

Bedford Borough Council has already signed the National Plastic Free Pledge. The Council will be working with them and other plastic-free initiatives towards the common goal of eliminating single-use plastics, firstly within Council buildings and then across the Borough.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said "Across our society there is an obscene amount of unnecessary plastic waste, yet we know about the harm plastic waste does to wildlife and to our environment. That's why we're committing to becoming a single-use plastic free Council. More and more of us are using alternatives to throw-away plastics in our day-to-day lives, and that's what the council will be doing right across its range of activities."