Nairn awarded Plastic Free Communities Status by marine conservation charity
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The town’s efforts in tackling the impact of single-use plastic on the environment have been recognised by a nationwide conservation group.
Nairn has been awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).
The network aims to empower communities to kick-start local grassroots action to tackle plastic pollution
Local group Nairn Eco registered with the SAS plastic-free communities, pulling together key organisations and businesses and setting up a five-point plan.
The objectives included setting up a community-led steering group, being involved in the SAS Plastic Free Schools education programme, getting local council commitment and working with local businesses, organisations and community groups to spread the word and minimise the amount of disposable plastics they use.
Corinne Ferguson, community lead for the Plastic Free Nairn campaign said: “We’ve received a lot of community support that has culminated recently in a collaboration with Nairn Old Parish Church in starting Nairn Food Nest, a community fridge and larder.
“Businesses in the town have reduced their plastic packaging and have alternatives like paper bags (and no packaging).
“We have been involved with local events including beach cleans with the local Scouts, a quiz night with the Brownies, a meet up with Rosebank Primary School eco-group and a film screening with a local environmental organisation. Youth organisations have been particularly knowledgeable about the impact of too much plastic and enthusiastic about how to help the situation.
“It’s an ongoing journey and of course, the town isn’t completely plastic free, however, it’s symbolic of the start of local awareness of the problem.“
Rachel Yates, SAS Plastic Free Communities project manager, said: “It’s great to see the work that Nairn has done to reduce the availability of avoidable plastics, raise awareness and encourage people to refill and reuse.
“We have over six hundred communities across the UK working to reduce single-use plastic and the impact it has on our environment. Every step those communities and the individuals in them take is a step towards tackling the problem at the source, challenging our throwaway culture and encouraging the habit and system changes we need to see.”
