Ponty Goes Plastic Bag Free!
Pontypridd became the first plastic bag free town in Wales thanks to the support of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and local environmentalists.
In partnership with the Council, Pontypridd Women’s Institute and Friends of the Earth launched their campaign to make Pontypridd plastic-bag free with a special awareness day in the town centre.
GOING GREEN: Members of Pontypridd W.I. and the town crier launching the scheme
Shopkeepers and market traders throughout the town supported the special event by not giving out plastic bags to shoppers in an effort to reduce the quantity sent to landfill. Pontypridd is the first town in Wales to date to launch such an exciting scheme.
LAUNCHED: Friends of the Earth, Pontypridd W.I., Pontypridd High School Pupils and the Council’s Streetcare Team launching the Plastic Bag Free Day
Around 13 billion plastic bags are given free to UK shoppers every year. The bags can take between 400-1,000 years to break down, and like all forms of plastic they do not biodegrade and can contaminate soil, waterways and oceans, entering the food chain when ingested by animals.
Last year the Devonshire town of Modbury became synonymous with environmentalists as the first community in Europe to become plastic shopping bag-free.
SUPPORT: Jane Davidson AM with pupils from Pontypridd High School, Coedpenmaen Primary and Coedylan Primary School pupils
Leading stores such as Marks and Spencers, Tesco, Co-Operative and Somerfield also threw their weight behind the day and donated 2,000 “bags for life” to replace any plastic carrier bags.
Assembly Member for Pontypridd Jane Davidson joined the Council’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Robert Smith at the Council’s Streetcare Team trailer on Taff Street to officially launch the event. Pupils from Pontypridd High School, Coedpenmaen Primary and Coedylan Primary Schools also came along to the launch. The event also had extensive support from Media Wales as part of its Go Green campaign.
Lauren Crowther, a pupil at Trehopcyn Primary School also won the Council’s competition to design a poster for the event. She was presented by a Rhys Cycle Globe and a fun recycling pack for her colourful design which was displayed in shop windows throughout the town.
SUCCESS: Pontypridd High School pupils with Assembly Member for Pontypridd Jane Davidson
The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Frontline Services Cllr Anthony Christopher said: “This is a very exciting initiative and with so much support from partner agencies we will not only make Pontypridd plastic-bag free but eventually the whole of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“There was a huge amount of enthusiasm for the scheme in Pontypridd and the feedback we’ve received from shoppers and traders alike has been excellent.
WINNER: Lauren Crowther of Trehopcyn Primary School with her winning design during a presentation from the Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cllr Robert Smith and Mrs Smith
“We are doing all we can in Rhondda Cynon Taf to rapidly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and this is one of the many initiatives currently ongoing to tackle this problem.”
For more information on recycling and how you can work to protect the environment, contact Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s waste awareness team on 01443 494700 or visit www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
Cynnwys wedi’i awdurdodi gan: Marketing & Communications Team
Adolygwyd ar: 22/12/2008