Plastic? It’s light, it’s transparent, it’s waterproof, it's flexible, it’s cheap and it’s everywhere! Have a look around your house - as I did, and you may be embarrassed to count how many single use plastic bottles, containers, bags and plastic wrappings you have. We are all struggling with this issue. We have seen the pictures of the enormous plastic soup in the Pacific, washed up bottles on shorelines around the world, marine life struggling and dying because they cannot avoid ingesting it. We know plastic is getting in to our food chains and potentially not only threatening the planet but also damaging our health. Above all we know we have to do something!
So in a hopeful tone let’s take a look at what’s going on and what we can do.
First of all let’s talk about face masks. Many purchased masks are made from synthetic plastic fibres but here in Bovey Tracey we can choose to buy cotton washable, reusable masks. Cafe 3Sixty and The Devon Guild sell them and moorsewing.com makes them to order, totally bespoke if you want and with slots to add a filter.
Bovey Tracey already has plastic free status from Surfers against Sewage, but there is still more to do.
A growing number of local businesses are trying very hard to reduce plastic. The delis, the fruit shops, dentists, the Guild, the cafes, the community hub, the co-ops and many others and.....in the autumn, 'Bovey Larder’ a new zero packaging shop is opening right in the centre of Bovey.....hurrah! This will join the very successful 'zero' shop in Moretonhampstead and I hear that another one is on its way in Ashburton.
Further afield we hear of pavements and walkways being built from recycled plastic in Cornwall. We know that young people are taking up the challenge to address the plastic issue and pupils from the Beacon School in Sussex recently won an award with a project involving a decommissioned army truck and meal worms (get your head around that!). H&M are designing clothes made from old ones. Then there are all sorts of things - worktops, building materials, fabric being made from recycled plastic.
Of course big oil producing companies have an interest in promoting the manufacture of plastic - they are after all worried about the electrification of transport and its effects on their industry. It is therefore brave and encouraging to hear that Coca Cola and Pepsi are actually beginning to act responsibly and demand that taxes are placed on virgin plastic. This in turn would mean they would have to recycle their bottles because it would be cheaper and all their competitors would be in the same boat.
But there is real power in individual consumer action so what can we do? We are used to the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) but let’s make that 6!
Every choice we make, every product we buy, and every activity we choose to do determine our planet’s future. Many things around our house are made of plastic: from carpets and sofas to plastic ingredients in personal care products so let’s try to look for better options and try to get our concerns heard.
Say ‘No!’ We don’t need straws in drinks or 'to-go' cups for coffee. Refusing single-use plastics is one of the easiest things we can do. Going a step further we can also refuse products that contribute to micro-plastic pollution which is an almost reversible issue.
We can take our own bags, bottles and containers to the fish van, the zero shop and the milk dispenser and we can carry reusable coffee cups and water bottles when out and about. My little Plastic Footprint app is helpful here.
Before we throw-out an item we can consider ways it can be repaired or up-cycled.
We can look for packaging and items that have been made from recycled plastic and be sure to recycle if at all possible.
Plastic takes forever to degrade, pollutes our environment, and harm animals along the way. Safe removal is an option by joining an organised litter pick or safely removing and disposing of an offending item.
Plastic Free Bovey is part of Climate Emergency Bovey & Heathfield. We work closely with Surfers against Sewage but like everything else we have been in 'lockdown' since the end of March. However we have work to do and lots of plans, so we hope to get up and running again soon. A litter pick will be organised and we shall revisit our fantastic local businesses including the industrial areas, support all the good initiatives and make our voices heard.
Together we can make a difference.
Susie Honnor.
Proposals for 20MPH Centre of Bovey Tracey Back in February 2024 Bovey Tracey Town Council submitted an expression of interest to Devon County Council to be one of the funded 20 mph areas across the county.
Added: 10 December 2024
Do you love trees? Would you like to be involved in planting some trees in Bullands Field? Friends of Mill Marsh Park and the Town Council plan to plant some young native trees in Bullands Field (the field across the river from Mill Marsh Park).
Added: 15 October 2024
Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan sets out the priorities for transport across the county between 2025 and 2040.
Added: 15 October 2024
Are you tired of traffic jams, expensive parking, and the stress of commuting? It’s time to embrace a smarter, greener way to travel—introducing Bike pods! Bike Pods have recently been installed in Station Road Car Park, Bovey Tracey.
Added: 18 September 2024
If you are interested in serving as a Town Councillor for Bovey Ward, please contact the Town Clerk (Email: Info@boveytracey.
Added: 08 July 2024
Cllr Corin Burton, Cllr Sheila Brookes and Cllr Lisa Robillard Webb took part in a great car park clear up morning at Heathfield Community Centre.
Added: 13 June 2024
Notice is hereby given that a vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for the Bovey Ward of Bovey Tracey Town Council.
Added: 12 June 2024
Bovey Tracey Town Council are tendering for the Grounds Maintenance Contract January 2025 - January 2027.
Added: 04 June 2024
COMMUNITY AWARDS 2024 There was a good turn-out at the Annual Town Meeting on 27th March, when this year’s Bovey Tracey Community Awards were presented by the Mayor, Cllr Sheila Brooke.
Added: 14 May 2024
Wildflower verges Bovey Tracey Town Council recognise the importance of continuing to develop wildflower areas and consider initiatives to conserve natural areas in the town.
Added: 08 May 2024
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD (JOINT WINNERS) ISABELLA STEPHENSON Bella (at age 9) is an active member of the Parish Church (PPT) where she leads on children’s songs and supports the congregation in any way she can.
Added: 09 April 2024
The Annual Report of Bovey Tracey Town Council for 2023/24 can be viewed here.
Added: 27 March 2024
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