Banter 119: 13May26 Plastic-Free Communities, with Ally De Trey

Video Timeline (min:sec):

00:00 - 40:57 Presentation

40:57 - 60:24 (end) Q & A

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Presentation - Banter 119

47MB

Plastic Free Bembridge GC.pptx

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Plastic Free Bembridge GC.pdf

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You are welcome to download either the Powerpoint version or the PDF version. A markdown version (text only) is available at the bottom of this page

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Meeting Summary - Banter 119:

May 13, 2026 11:39 AM London ID: 834 5460 8536

Quick recap

This meeting featured a presentation by Ally about the problem of single-use plastic pollution, particularly focusing on Bembridge's efforts to become a plastic-free community. Ally shared statistics on plastic production, recycling rates, and the environmental impact of plastic waste, including data from Greenpeace and Surfers Against Sewage. She described Bembridge's five-step approach to becoming plastic-free, which included engaging local councils, working with businesses, inspiring the community, mobilizing through beach cleans, and forming a steering group. The discussion included challenges around getting community involvement and the difficulty of finding affordable plastic-free alternatives to supermarket products. Participants shared their experiences and concerns about plastic pollution, including the effectiveness of recycling, the role of supermarkets in plastic usage, and the impact of incineration versus landfill. The conversation ended with discussions about legislation like the extended producer responsibility and deposit return scheme, as well as the importance of both top-down government action and bottom-up community initiatives in addressing plastic pollution.

Next steps

• Steve and Sarah: Meet to discuss bringing ideas from this meeting to their local climate change forum and potentially initiate a "pincer movement" within their borough to advance plastic reduction efforts.

• Sarah: Encourage people in her borough to use the information from this meeting (once online) and take ideas forward to the next climate change forum meeting.

• Sarah: Raise the presentation and its useful pointers (including legislation) with the Association of Local Councils in Kent.

• Ally: Consider organizing a "mass unwrap" event in Bembridge, with the aim to find another volunteer to help run it, following guidance from Surfs Against Sewage.

• Helen (Weymouth Town Councillor): Work on improving communication to visitors about water refill points and plastic reduction expectations in Weymouth, including placing notices in car parks and publicizing the council's sustainability initiatives.

• Helen: Look into extended producer responsibility legislation and consider how to hold local producers to account and leverage this for council funding/support.

• Ally: Continue efforts to engage more volunteers and community members to help organize events, talk to businesses, and expand the plastic-free initiative in Bembridge.

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Chat - Banter 119:

00:52:58 Peter Bates: Sorry I need to go 01:24:32 Garry Ford - Corsham Town Council: I was going to mention deposit return scheme. 01:25:37 frank deas: got to go, many thanks for a very interesting talk Ally

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Markdown version of the presentation (text only)

Plastic Free Bembridge

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Agenda

• The Scale of the Problem

• Who are the Main Offenders

• Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Initiative

• What this looks like in Bembridge

• What can you do in your community?

• Legislation and National Action

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The Scale of the Problem

• Over 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels

• 1 in 10 barrels of oil is used to make new plastic

• Greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production are set to triple by 2050, accounting for 25–30% of the global carbon budget

• Only about 9% of plastic ever made globally is recycled

• Plastics persist for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics

• Microplastics have been found everywhere:

  • deep oceans

  • human brains

Reference:

• Geneva Environment Network: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-climate/

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Packaging Waste

• 65% of fruit and vegetable packaging is incinerated, not recycled

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Single-use Plastics — Main Offenders

• condiment sachets

• plastic cups

• disposable hot drink cups

• wet wipes & period products

• takeaway containers

• balloons

• plastic bags

• food & drink packaging

• plastic drink bottles

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Surfers Against Sewage 2025 Brand Audit

(Images/graphics in original slides)

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Surfers Against Sewage — Plastic Free Initiative

SAS 5-step model

Engage local councils

Work with local businesses

Help them reduce single-use plastics

Inspire the local community

Spread the plastic free message

Mobilise the local community

Examples:

• beach cleans

• talks

• workshops

• awareness campaigns

• mass unwraps

Bring together a local steering group

Examples:

• business leaders

• councillors

• SAS regional reps

• campaigners

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Building Plastic Free Bembridge

• Started with beach cleans in 2023

• Official launch: Spring 2024

Requirements included:

• support from the Parish Council

• establishment of a Steering Group

• at least two community events

• network of Community Allies

• three accredited Plastic Free businesses

Result

• Awarded Plastic Free Bembridge Status:

  • May 2025

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Plastic Free Businesses

Bembridge Barbers — Gold Award

Actions:

• eliminated most single-use plastic

• reusable cups and lunch boxes

• refill products from Sea-Room

• participated in SAS beach clean

• wrote to MP supporting national campaign against plastic pollution

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Sea-Room — Gold Award

Sea-Room is a zero-waste shop.

Actions:

• eliminated most single-use plastic

• refill products for:

  • laundry

  • home care

  • body care

  • hair care

• attended Plastic Free Communities launch

• wrote to MP supporting national campaign against plastic pollution

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Who Can Be an Ally?

Potential allies:

• schools

• community spaces

• community groups

• media

• events

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Community Allies Pledge

Plastic Free Communities pledge:

• remove at least three single-use plastics from normal activities

• include anti-single-use-plastic stance in communications

• raise awareness and support local plastic free initiatives

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Local Bembridge Allies

Examples shown:

• Bembridge Library

• Bembridge Village Hall

• Bembridge Community Notice Board

• Bembridge Parish Council information

• The Elms & Inver House

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People versus Plastic Campaign 2025

Campaign linked to:

• Global Plastics Treaty negotiations

Highlights:

• no agreement reached last August

• met local MP in Parliament and gained support

• “Octopus Dave” taken around the Isle of Wight during negotiations

• awareness raised locally about plastic pollution

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What Can You Do?

Use Plastic Free Products

• shop locally

• shop online responsibly

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The 6 Rs

• REFUSE

• REUSE

• REFILL

• RECYCLE

• RESEARCH

• RALLY

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Research

• alternative plastic free products

• local plastic free businesses

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Rally

• connect with local Plastic Free Community

• raise awareness

• recruit motivated volunteers

• set up new Plastic Free Communities

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Remember the SAS 5-step Model

1. Get support from local council

Town or Parish Council support is important.

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2. Create a local steering group

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3. Work with local businesses

Help them reduce single-use plastics.

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4. Inspire the local community

Examples:

• schools

• media

• community spaces

• community groups

• local branches of national businesses

• fairs and festivals

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5. Mobilise the local community

Examples:

• beach cleans

• litter picks

• awareness events

• mass unwraps

• encouraging individual action

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From Linear Economy …

(Original slide graphic)

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… To Circular Economy

Key principles:

• Return

• Re-use

• Re-cycle

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Recent Legislation

Simpler Recycling for England

Categories:

• food & garden waste

• paper & card

• glass

• metal

• plastic

• cartons

• general waste

Implementation:

• 31 March 2026

Plastic film & plastic bags:

• 31 March 2027

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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Applies to:

• producers with turnover > £1,000,000

Requirements:

• fees based on packaging from previous fiscal year

• supports local councils

Implementation:

• 31 March 2026

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Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)

• drinks containers

• 20p refundable deposit

• grocery retailers act as return points

Implementation:

• 1 October 2027

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References

Simpler Recycling

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/simpler-recycling-household-recycling-in-england

Extended Producer Responsibility

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-who-is-affected-and-what-to-do

Deposit Return Scheme

https://defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/31/introducing-the-deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers/

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