Tackling the climate and nature emergency through sustainable food and farming and an end to food waste

With nearly half of all food thrown away, reducing food waste has huge potential social, economic and environmental benefits. But it’s not just about waste. How food is produced, processed, packaged and transported are also vital in managing its ecological footprint.

Plymouth has a thriving Food Waste partnership and other key partners in this theme e.g. Devon and Cornwall Food Association (DCFA)  (or DCFA Facebook)

A key focus of activity in this theme is around plastics

In June 2018 Plymouth became the first UK city to gain Surfer’s Against Sewage Plastic Free Community status for the Waterfront district. The ongoing joint aim is to gain citywide accreditation – this work is being pioneered locally by Environment Plymouth.

Some plastic is currently unavoidable. It helps with health, safety and hygiene. But there are many examples of packaging, wrapping and plastic items that we could do without. For example, we will be:

  • Looking to reduce food waste and the plastic use that often accompanies it
  • Encouraging retailers to offer fresh, unpackaged, loose items – including fruit and veg
  • Reducing the use of single use sachets of sauces, salt, pepper, vinegar, milk and other dairy products
  • Encouraging the hospitality sector to review their use of plastic and to take action accordingly
  • Raising awareness of the impact of plastic on our supplies of fish and seafood and how this can be avoided

Year 5 of Thrive Plymouth

In It’s fith year the focus is on People Connecting Through Food helps to drive forward our vision for a greener, cleaner city. The plastics agenda is firmly embedded into this:

Visit Plymouth Plastics website for more information and a copy of the Plan for Plastics. #PlasticsPledgePlym

Become a Plastic Free Pioneer or, if you are a community group, family or individual, become a Plastic Free Ambassador by contacting Environment Plymouth via email.