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Plastic news

March 2021

Making wax cloths

Drastic Plastic organiser Penny Hepburn, in conjunction with MOO Food, has made a video showing how to make wax cloths to use instead of plastic for wrapping and covering food.

To view the video click  this link, then click on the image in Dropbox.

Moo Food Zero Waste Kitchens Challenge 

Moo food have asked us to publicise their Zero Waste Kitchens Challenge, for which Penny made the video.  This project started last October and may now be drawing to a close, but you can read about it on their website and email  hello@moofood.org  to enquire about taking part.

Moo Food Project Officer Lyn McLardy said of the project

“We hope that those that sign up to the Zero Waste Kitchen Challenge will enjoy finding new ways to make a positive difference to their bins.  It feels good to be in control and making a difference – whether you are motivated by doing your bit to look after the environment or to save money, or even just to have a stink-free wheelie bin!”
 

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October 2020

Scottish Government proposes restrictions  on single-use plastics
 

The Scottish Government's public consultation on single-use plastics ended in January 2021.   

Scottish government information

Zero Waste Scotland 

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Welcome to Drastic Plastic  -  September 2018

Welcome to the Drastic Plastic Webpage and to the newly formed TBI Plastic Waste Group. We consist of members who have got together and agreed that in the wake of the current horrors associated with Plastic Waste, we need to raise awareness of the issues and take action here on the Black Isle. 

A successful inaugural ‘Open’ Meeting was held in June and those who attended had the opportunity to discuss some of the issues, voice their concerns and suggest how they thought we could tackle the subject. Issues discussed were:

• What’s Drastic About Plastic
• How is it affecting the environment and all of us
• Ways we can make a difference on a personal level and collectively as TBI

From those discussions, four main strands for action emerged:

• Publicity: to raise awareness
• Education: so that people can make informed choices
• Campaigning 
• Website Information

These will be developed in future meetings and activities.

Penny Hepburn        info@aquavisiononline.com

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Aims and Objectives

Transition Black Isle           The Drastic Plastic Group

AIM:

The Drastic Plastic Group has been established to raise awareness of the issues surrounding plastic waste within the Black Isle. This will then enable members & businesses within the community to make their own informed choices as to the way they purchase, use, recycle or dispose of their plastic waste.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To highlight the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste either by the general public or by businesses.
2. To educate the community in the dangers of plastic waste to both human and animal health and to equip the community with knowledge of suitable and sustainable alternatives.
3. To encourage local manufacturing businesses and outlets to end the production and use of single use plastic in their packaging and to provide better labelling on non single use packaging regarding the items' correct form of disposal.
4. To provide accurate, up to date, relevant information on all forms of plastic and their available alternatives.

ACHIEVED THROUGH:

1. Holding publicity events such as a beach clean and plastic waste sculpture competition.
2. The delivery of informative and educational talks from public sector recycling organisations and other appropriate professionals. Holding workshops on ‘up cycling’ and making non plastic alternatives to packaging. The provision of information leaflets to be given out at events such as the Black Isle Community Markets.
3. Letter writing and campaigning to relevant businesses requesting their co-operation and support in the reduction or phasing out of single use plastic packaging and for the provision of accurate plastic recycling labelling information. 
4. The creation of a Drastic Plastic section on the Transition Black Isle website, with appropriate links to the wider Web. Relevant access to & interaction with appropriate social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The formation of an online Directory of local outlets, who are providing suitable alternatives to plastic packaging.

 Penny Hepburn: September 2018

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May 2019

Drastic Plastic at Inverness Science Fair Family Day

A team of Drastic Plastic / TBI volunteers, supported by Freya and Duncan from Highland Council's Waste Aware team, manned a stall at the culminating event of the Inverness Science Festival - the Family Day of fun and information held at Inverness Leisure Centre last Saturday 11 May.

In thanking the volunteers, not only for being there on the day but for all the work that went into preparing the displays for the stand, Penny commented

"I think it was well received. The children seemed to enjoy the activities and there was some good chat with both children and adults about plastic recycling, waste and alternatives."

Alaine Macdonald, one of the helpers and TBI's Membership Secretary, has written a personal account of the day

Drastic Plastic at the Inverness Science  Saturday 11^th May 2019

"All afternoon the hall at Inverness Leisure Centre was thronged with people obviously enjoying themselves.  The various stands were well spread out with enough floor space for people to move around freely.

"The Drastic Plastic stall had a good position opposite the entrance.  As I entered the hall Lesley waved to me and I immediately recognized Julie’s clever ‘Drastic Plastic’ sign which she had conjured up with plastic bottle tops. 

"We had three tables arranged in a horse shoeshape creating three sections:  Freya and Duncan, from the Inverness Council, were answering questions on recycling and people were sorting ‘waste’ into blue and green bins.  Children seemed to enjoy ‘cleaning the beach’ on the middle table with its large tray representing the seashore.  There were toy sea creatures, beach shingle, shells, dried seaweedand lots of ‘rubbish’ for younger children to sort.  They were also encouraged to explain what damage it was doing.  The third section had the Decomposition Quiz (how long it takes for different things to decompose) which was popular with older children.  Adults also found it interesting.  Several people took copies away with them. There were also two baskets – one containing items made with plastic and the other one containing something similar which was not made of plastic.  Children were encouraged to find a corresponding item in each basket.  Next to this table was a large upright display screen on which were attached disposable items and containers.  Each disposable item had a red string leading to a more eco-friendly alternative.  A bunch of plastic bags hung there forlornly offering no alternative!

"It seems that we were well received and will be invited back next year.  Time seemed to go quickly while we were busy and I enjoyed it all immensely although it was very tiring,especially for those who had arrived early to set up the stand well before opening time."

Alaine Macdonald

 

 

 

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