North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn, CBE, is asking residents to support her commitment to creating a borough free of single-use plastics.
With Tynemouth already awarded plastic-free status, Mayor Norma Redfearn is determined to build on this success right across North Tyneside – and she’s calling on the public to support her in her aim.
Single-use plastics – such as plastic cutlery, takeaway trays and straws – are a thing of the past in most council buildings and schools, and campaigns to raise awareness amongst residents and increase recycling rates are well underway.
North Tyneside Council’s Wash, Squash and Recycle campaign has proved hugely successful, engaging with over 20,000 people and in turn boosting recycling rates.
And in a bid to do even more to protect the environment, Mayor Redfearn is asking residents to help to minimise the amount of ‘throwaway’ plastics across the borough.
Speaking about her appeal, she said: “Single-use plastics create avoidable waste and the impact and damage to the environment and wildlife is huge.
“My aim is to create a borough free of this type of material and ensure our beautiful borough, and our award-winning coastline, can be enjoyed by generations to come. Residents and businesses hold the key to our success and I would like to urge everyone to recycle wherever possible.
“A number of traders have already swapped to biodegradable alternatives and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them and residents for supporting different initiatives to minimise the use of such plastics.
“The council also continues to look at how it can support initiatives to minimise the impact of single-use products. As well as clean-up events, our officers are meeting with many groups across North Tyneside which are working to achieve a plastic-free borough.
“I’m also backing our Youth Council’s campaign to reduce use of throwaway plastic bottles. At our 10k Road Race next month, they’ll be inviting participants to use a tap at the start line to fill their bottles rather than buying bottled water.”
