Member Article

Local businesses called on to go plastic free in 2021

Destination Chesterfield is calling on businesses in the borough to go plastic free in 2021.

The town’s marketing organisation has signed up to become a Plastic Free Ally of Plastic Free Chesterfield, a campaign group working to reduce single-use plastics in the borough. The group is part of over 700 other similar Plastic Free groups coordinated by national charity, Surfers Against Sewage.

Destination Chesterfield now wants businesses to follow its lead and become part of the local effort dedicated to minimising the town’s contribution to the single-use plastic crisis.

Becoming a Plastic Free Ally means Destination Chesterfield will now be plastic free at the many events, ceremonies and conferences it organises each year as well as in its day-to-day activities.

Amongst the many changes Destination Chesterfield will make, single-use plastic cups and coffee cups will be swapped for glass and china glasses and mugs for drinks, metal cutlery will be used instead of single-use plastic cutlery and paper, and card or cotton bags will replace single use plastic bags at events.

The four-strong Destination Chesterfield team have also all personally pledged to use refillable bottles or cups instead of single use plastic water bottles.

Dom Stevens, manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with Plastic Free Chesterfield. We hope members of the town’s business community will now join us in our mission to reduce the impact of plastic on our environment, both locally and globally.

“In 2021 we’re encouraging businesses across Chesterfield to see if they’re able to make changes to their plastic use. If we all work together then, collectively, we’ll make a big difference in reducing the environmental impact on the rivers and beautiful local landscape here in North Derbyshire.”

Greg Hewitt, Plastic Free Chesterfield Community Lead commented: “We’re delighted to have the support of Destination Chesterfield, with the amazing work they do to support local businesses here in Chesterfield. It comes at a fantastic time for our group, which last year resulted in 50 Chesterfield businesses signing up to become Plastic Free Champions, as well as Chesterfield Borough Council officially backing our campaign.”

A number of businesses have already become Plastic Free Champions, including The Pekoe Café at Northern Tea Merchants, R.P Davidson Cheese Factor, Shop Indie in Vicar Lane Shopping Centre and Chesterfield High Street Awards winner Steph’s Sustainable Stuff.

Greg added: “We now look forward to working with both Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council to reach out to and sign up even more businesses, particularly those with 100 or more staff, where a business representative must join our Steering Group if we are to officially become an accredited Plastic Free Community.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Joe Morton .