Somerset Council is backing the movement to go single-use plastic free and asking residents to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. 

Last year Somerset households recycled close to 6,500 tonnes of plastic, which equates to roughly 29 lorry loads a month.  

Plastic recycling is great, but choosing to refuse single-use plastic is even better.  

Plastic Free July is a global initiative working towards a world free of plastic waste. And by taking up the challenge to make a change each day this July could create a good habit for life. 

The Plastic Free July team are asking people to join the movement by taking on the Plastic Free July challenge and take the Pesky Plastics Quiz. 

Signing up to the Plastic Free July challenge is the easiest way to help people: 

• discover the plastic free solutions that suit them 
• be counted alongside the millions of people who are making a difference 
• contribute to the global success of Plastic Free July 

Kirsty Larkins, Somerset Council’s Service Director for Climate and Sustainability said: “We know that people in Somerset love being part of a green and diverse landscape and we can all play our part to help keep it special. Somerset Council is committed to a greener, more sustainable county. We want to encourage our residents to join the pledge to make plastic-free choices during July and beyond.” 

Simple changes we can all make to go plastic free include: 

• Opt for the plastic free, or no packaging alternatives. Loose fruit and vegetables are available in many supermarkets or pick items wrapped in paper rather than plastic.  
• Use a reusable water bottle. Somerset has five, free-to-use tap water stations – find your local one online. 
• Switch from bottle to bar for your bathroom products. Somerset has many re-fill shops, support local businesses while picking up your plastic free alternatives.  
• When plastic cannot be avoided, much of it can be recycled in the weekly kerbside collections throughout Somerset – use the Bright Blue Bag for plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. 

Plastic bags and wrapping are not currently part of our collections, though we are taking part in national trials that should pave the way for kerbside collections of these materials in years to come.