ECO-MINDED council chiefs in Warwick district look set to follow Sir David Attenborough’s lead in the war on plastic.
The veteran broadcaster highlighted the impact of plastics on the world’s oceans in his ground-breaking TV series Blue Planet II. There has since been heightened national and global awareness of the impact plastic is having on the environment.
Warwick District Council is now looking at proposals to reduce its use of plastics and encourage residents and businesses in the district to do the same.
The council’s executive will be asked for its approval for the adoption of a ‘plastics policy’ which would endorse the Government’s ‘A Green Future’ initiative as well as committing to a number of measures to minimise its own impact.
A number of steps have already been taken by the authority such as reducing the use of plastic bottles and cups at its public venues, recycling the plastic seals on ballot boxes, and encouraging the use of public recycling sites.
The policy also recognises the leadership role the council can play by supporting and promoting the work already being done in the community, such as the Leamington and Warwick plastic free groups, and participation in the national refill scheme.
District community protection spokesman Coun Andrew Thompson said: “The environmental problems associated with plastic cannot be solved by any one organisation, but by signing up to this policy and setting an example, we hope that we can influence others in our district to join us.
“We plan to look at ways to source alternatives to plastic and we will be working in partnership with the Leamington & Warwick Plastic Free Group to encourage communities to work together on plastics avoidance.
“Everyday acts and changes of behaviour of individuals such as using your own coffee cups and water bottles can help make a real difference.”
The executive was set to consider the policy on Wednesday October 31.
