A GROUP of campaigners are shunning single-use plastics ahead of Aberystwyth’s bid to become the first plastic-free town in Wales.

The town council became the first authority in the UK to pass a motion supporting the Surfers Against Sewage ‘Plastic Free Coastline’ campaign in July.

A steering group was set up which has been busy preparing for an assault on single-use plastics in Aberystwyth.

Some members of the steering group, including Aberystwyth Beach Buddies’ Chris Woodfield, local SAS representative Laura Truelove, and some councillors, are shunning plastics altogether for January to raise awareness of an upcoming public event to inform residents of the campaign.

The next step will be to ask businesses in the town to remove three or more single-use plastic items and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives.

Mr Woodfield, speaking to the Cambrian News this week, said: “We have been talking about how to approach businesses to ask them to swap out plastic items.

“The main thing we want to do at the moment is raise awareness, so for the month of January we are going to go plastic-free.

“So when I do my food shop, I won’t buy anything with plastic packaging. And that goes for things like cosmetics too.

“We have a Facebook and Twitter page and we will use those platforms to promote local businesses who are providing alternatives, as well as showing that it can be done.”

Laura Truelove added: “We’re only eight days in and the challenges of being plastic-free have already started to crop up — everything is packaged in plastic.

“But we’re really fortunate in Aberystwyth that we have a good handful of local businesses, such as Treehouse and Medina, where you can buy loose fruit and veg so that you can avoid single-use plastics.

“There are little steps everyone can take to reduce their plastic use, such as using your own bag, swapping your toothbrush for a bamboo one and using shampoo bars; steps I’ve found to be very easy during this plastic-free month.”

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