As a council, we’re working hard to reduce plastic waste across the city. This is a key part of the solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis as plastic production and burning plastic that cannot be recycled produces harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Single-use plastics are a particular focus as disposable plastics don't biodegrade – instead, they break down into harmful microparticles that contaminate our environment.
As we near the end of Plastic Free July, we are highlighting what we’re doing to tackle single-use plastics.
Single use plastics policy
The council has created a Single-Use Plastics Policy, outlining our commitment to eliminate single-use plastics across our offices, schools and communities. This includes working with event organisers and suppliers to ensure sustainable alternatives are found for items such as plastic bags, disposable utensils, drinks bottles, stirrers and straws.
Circular Economy
A circular economy can help to tackle climate change by reducing overconsumption and related greenhouse gas emissions, designing out waste, and restoring and regenerating ecosystems. This includes challenging unnecessary use of single-use plastics.
We recently launched our Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan which will help Brighton & Hove move from a linear take-make, consume, and throw-away society towards a circular economy.
We’ve also created a new space on our climate conversations platform to engage residents and businesses across the city on our journey to a circular economy. The website also includes case studies, upcoming events, and recent news stories about circular practices in Brighton & Hove.
Plastic free refill shops
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership have shared a list of shops with refill stations and other plastic-free goods, alongside some tips to reduce unnecessary plastics.
One local business that was set up due to increasing concerns about the damage plastics are doing to the planet is Harriet’s of Hove. You can learn more about Harriet’s journey to opening a climate-friendly business by visiting our sustainable business case studies webpage.
We’re on the lookout for more local case studies of sustainable businesses that are helping to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. If you’d like your business to be featured as a case study, please contact carbon2030@brighton-hove.gov.uk, or visit our sustainable business page to find out how to reduce the carbon footprint of your business .
Commitment to carbon neutrality
Councillor Amy Heley, Co-Chair, Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “We’re working hard to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics. This isn’t just a short-term promise for Plastic Free July – it’s an ongoing commitment as part of our 2030 Carbon Neutral programme, which launched last year in response to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
“By working with residents, businesses, and organisations, together we can collectively build a more sustainable future for the city. From using new public drinking water fountains to buying plastic-free goods and using refill shops, there are countless ways people in Brighton & Hove can make a positive contribution, help reduce pollution from plastic and improve the environment.”
