The name implies much more than is the intent of this campaign. Currently it is not realistic to remove all plastic from Knebworth and there is no point replacing plastic with something which is environmentally worse.
Plastic breaks down very slowly into smaller pieces which have been found to be toxic. There is growing health concern over the effects of chemicals within plastic that leach out into the environment and our foods. It has been linked to some cancers, cardiovascular disease and reproductive problems.
Plastic is also one of the major components of rubbish found in the countryside and around our village.
So what does plastic free Knebworth aim to do to reduce plastic pollution in Knebworth?
The aim is to tackle avoidable single use plastic all the way back to its originators.
Of course, any item that is single use needs to be questioned, plastic is hard to recycle, does not naturally biodegrade, creates hazards to wildlife and is toxic. It is also very cheap to produce in monetary terms so has become a very common throw away solution. Add these characteristics together and we have created a considerable problem. So much so that some have predicted that the weight of plastic in the oceans could surpass that of fish!
So how can I help?
Remove avoidable single use plastic from your life.
Communicate the stance you are taking on avoidable single use plastic when appropriate to friends and family.
Pass on tips on how to remove single use plastic. (It is not always obvious how you can work around them)
Support initiatives aimed at reducing demand for single use plastic.
Research alternatives, some alternative are just as bad as the plastic, better to avoid the need to use a single use item in most cases.
Remove plastic from the environment by joining a knebworth litter pick.
Support plastic free initiatives from local businesses.
Can I take part in Plastic free Knebworth?
Yes
The initiative
The plastic free communities campaign is run by surfers against sewage. Knebworth environmental group is supporting this campaign and is supporting people local to and with an association with Knebworth to gain accreditation for Knebworth as a plastic free community. You will therefore find that many Plastic Free Knebworth events are also Knebworth Environmental Group events. To get certification for Knebworth, Plastic free Knebworth needs to get the support of at least ten community allies and three businesses plus the local Council. For it to all work the local community also need to support it.
How can I take part?
There are four main ways you can support the initiative, these are not mutually exclusive so you may be able to support the campaign by more than one strand.
1 As an individual
2 As a community ally
3 As a business
4 As a school (a special case of community ally)
So dealing with these three methods of support one by one
Firstly as an individual.
You can support the initiative without having to join in with any group. You will get a much better understanding and will be more able to support the initiative if you join up as an individual and also join the local plastic free Knebworth group, which will then help you to shape and take part in suggesting, and if willing organising events and campaigns to further the Knebworth initiative.
To join use the following link https://plasticfree.org.uk/community/knebworth/
This will allow you to join surfers against Sewage as an individual plastic free community person. It will give the opportunity to introduce yourself to the Knebworth Plastic free community but you can opt out of being known to the local group. Surfers against sewage will e-mail you information on the national campaign.
If you make yourself known to the local group, you can take part as much as you see fit in running, organising and participating in events.
If you wish to be known to and receive information and/or participate within the local Knebworth group but not within the national set-up you can e-mail the local group directly using the address plasticfreeknebworth@gmail
The national website gives ideas on events that could be organised, as different people have different skill sets and contacts. If you like the sound of some of the ideas please join the local group,as it helps to have the support of a group to get things moving.
Currently local plastic free events are being advertised on the KEG website events page.
Secondly as an ally
A community ally can be any local group, local event or location that is willing to support the campaign to reduce avoidable single use plastic and is willing to provide help in any form such as: publicity, raising awareness of the issues, providing space for events, holding events, promoting plastic free ideas, giving talks etc. The idea is that we need to ensure all parts of the community are aware of the issues, whatever their age, faith, interests or circumstances. So if you organise an event, have a place where people congregate or are any local group and are willing to support you can become an ally.
The last time this web page was updated positive responses on becoming plastic free knebworth allies had been received from :
Knebworth environmental group
Knebworth Library
Knebworth Primary School
Knebworth Family of churches
Stepping stones Nursery
Knebworth Bowls club
Knebworth WI
Knebworth Tennis club
If you wish your group to be added to this list, please contact via the plasticfreeknebworth@gmail email.
Thirdly as a business
Many businesses have already made moves to reduce their pollution footprint by reducing the amount of plastic they use and many would like to make further reductions. The plastic free campaign already ties up with large chains and organisations but if you are a local business you can become a business ally. We cannot tell you what makes sense for your business anymore than we can tell a community ally but we can help in publicising what you are doing and have done to reduce plastic (and other forms of) pollution.
On the last website update the following local businesses had made the first steps towards becoming a business ally.
Lucas May
Izzy’s Bakes and Brews
Potstop
Coasters.
If you or your business would like to become a business ally please contact us via email, plasitcfreeknebworth@gmail.com
The local parish council have a member on the plastic free Knebworth steering group.