ABERYSTWYTH University has hosted its first Plastic-Free Day in a bid to become the first certified plastic-free university in Wales, an initiative based around phasing out single use plastics.

Led by the university’s sustainability and hospitality teams, the plastic-free day challenged staff to rethink the way in which it uses plastic. Some of the initiatives included:

• Restricting the sale of many single use plastic items in its hospitality outlets.

• A special offer on buying reusable coffee cups

• Information stand on the piazza

• Guided litter pick-ups around campus.

• Free screening of A Plastic Ocean was also shown in the arts centre cinema

The plastic-free accreditation aims to raise awareness and tackle the devastating impacts of single-use plastic from Surfers Against Sewage, a UK-wide environmental campaigning charity focused on protection of the marine environment.

Rebecca Davies, pro vice-chancellor and chief operating officer, said: “It’s great that the university is at the forefront of a campaign to reduce plastic waste.

" Our staff and students are passionate about sustainability, ecology and conservation, and this is another step forward to show how we can all make a difference to one of the biggest problems facing the world today.”