Reduce Single Use for Communities

Plastic free communities are a network of community groups lead by the charity Surfers Against Sewage. Communities aim to tackle single-use plastic from beaches and green spaces all the way back to the brands and businesses who create it.

Start a Plastic Free Community group in your area or join a group that already exists. Plastic free communities engage local organisations, schools and business, as well as holding events and talks inspiring people to cut down on single-use plastic and change the system that produces it. Find your nearest plastic free community here.

Register your community to get all the information and material you need to gain plastic free status. You will receive a plastic free communities toolkit with five objectives to guide you through the process of becoming plastic free with support all the way. Once your community has achieved these steps you will gain plastic free accreditation and continue to take action.

The Sheringham Plastic Aware group worked with local schools, businesses and organisations to become Norfolk’s first Plastic Free community in 2019, as part of the national network lead by the charity Surfers Against Sewage. Read all about Sheringham Plastic Aware and how they became plastic free in this EDP article.

Refill works by connecting people with locations where they can eat, drink and shop with less waste. Anyone can download the free refill app to find local refill stations near them. Visit Refill Norfolk to find out more.

Community groups can play a huge role in increasing reuse and refill in their areas, here are some ideas for how you can get involved:

• Start a refill scheme in your community to promote places for people to refill their water bottle, re-usable coffee cup or takeaway food container in your area. Encourage people locally to use the refill app, and get new business and venues to sign up to the scheme.
• Find a refill scheme near you and join in with a local group of organised individuals who are powering the refill revolution in their area. Search the refill map for your nearest group and local refill contact to see how you can get involved.
• Become a refill volunteer anywhere, even if there is no refill scheme in your area, to help map and promote local refill venues. After signing up you will receive a refill pack including window stickers, leaflets and posters for your local cafes and businesses to display.

 Join the Norfolk campaign and pledge not to release balloons and sky lanterns from your community group or premises. Balloons and sky lanterns are examples of single use products. They are often released as a way of commemorating the passing of a loved one, or for a fundraising event. Sadly, unexpired sky lanterns pose a significant fire hazard. Livestock and wildlife on both the land and sea can be lost as a result of ingestion of parts from sky lanterns and balloon debris.

Click here to find exciting alternatives ideas, and get free downloadable posters and resources for your community group.

If you would like to continue to receive regular updates on reducing single-use products, please sign up for our Norfolk Recycles newsletter.