DERRY City and Strabane District Council has welcomed the European Parliament’s banning of single-use plastics across the union in a bid to stop pollution of the oceans.
In January of this year the local authority voted to ban the use of single use plastics in all of their own civic facilities by 2023.
Earlier this week Council hosted a major litter conference in the Guildhall focusing on the impact of plastic on our streets, rivers and oceans.
Chair of Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Martin Reilly, welcomed the move by the EU.
“This is a landmark decision by the EU and it’s heartening to see so many countries united on this key environmental issue,” he said.
“Earlier this year, Derry City and Strabane District Council approved a motion to ban all single use plastics from our offices and public facilities including leisure centres and civic buildings within the next five years.
“It’s important that we all show leadership on this issue and play our part in reducing waste through our everyday habits like opting for unpackaged fruit and vegetables when shopping and reusing carrier bags.
“Single use plastics are totally unnecessary and are polluting our city and sea.
“The EU’s ban on plastic cutlery and plates, cotton buds, straws, drink-stirrers and balloon sticks is a welcome start to combatting this huge plastic problem.”
This week’s City2Sea Pathways for Litter conference in the Guildhall heard from experts on the stark impact of plastic pollution on wildlife and ways in which we can reduce our reliance on disposable plastic through re-use and alternative materials.
Council delivered interactive workshops to local schoolchildren on micro-plastics, decomposing materials and recycling – highlighting the very real impact of human actions on our environment.
Tags: