Rugby Lib Dems call on Council to do more to reduce plastic waste
Rugby Liberal Democrats are encouraging Rugby Borough Council to do more to reduce single use plastic waste within the authority, adopt the Waste and Resources Action Programme and engage more with local environmental groups, businesses and residents to cut their plastic waste.
A motion put forward by Paddox Ward Councillors Tim Douglas and Noreen New will be debated and voted on at a full meeting of Rugby Borough Council on Tuesday 27 February 2018. The full council meeting is open to all members of the public to attend.
The Liberal Democrats have been leading the awareness-raising on this issue nationally and were responsible for the introduction of the 5p charge on plastic bags while in the Coalition Government, which has slashed usage in England by over 80%.
Since September 2016 the party has been campaigning for a charge on coffee cups and were the only party to include the policy in their 2017 Manifesto.
Commenting, Councillor Tim Douglas (Paddox Ward), said:
"Plastic waste is damaging to our environment and is an issue that affects us all. It's not going to be solved overnight but we can all do our part and the Council should champion this issue and lead our communities to reduce plastic waste and help improve our environment."
Councillor Noreen New (Paddox Ward), added:
"Other local authorities are introducing water fountains and refill points in public buildings, so that people can refill their empty bottles free of charge. We could look at introducing these in our public buildings such as the library, precinct and town hall. We could also encourage local restaurants and cafés to allow water bottles to be refilled free of charge."
Motion to Rugby Borough Council
Rugby Borough Council's new Corporate Priority's include "continue to improve the efficiency of our waste and recycling services". Considering the recent trends to tackle the reduction in plastics and a drive that includes improving the quality of the dry recycling bins along with maximizing the amount of household waste that is reprocessed.
The Council should seek to
- Lead the way and undertake an audit, within existing resources, of single use plastics used by the Authority and seek to replace with sustainable or reusable alternatives where practicable.
- Work in greater partnership with local environmental groups and engage with local businesses and residents to help educate about plastic waste.
- Adopt the ambition as outlined by the Waste and Resources Action Programme known as WRAP to reduce plastic waste.