ORGANISERS of the Plastic Free Penarth campaign say they have been encouraged by the strong levels of support and interest from Penarth residents, businesses and organisations.

The campaign was launched earlier this month by community based environmental organisation Gwyrddio Penarth Greening (GPG) at a public meeting.

The meeting heard from a wide range of speakers including local writer, sailor and environmental campaigner Sarah Tanburn and representatives from the No Straw Stand campaign, Benthyg Library of Things and the Penarth Beach Wardens. he meeting also heard of Repair Cafe Wales plans to run regular Repair Cafes in Penarth.

The Plastic Free Penarth campaign is part of a wider national Plastic Free Coastlines campaign run by the charity Surfers against Sewage.

The campaign aims to reduce and replace of polluting single use plastics that are causing severe environmental damage and marine pollution.

Local campaigners are aiming for Penarth to join other Welsh towns such as Aberporth and Aberystwyth in achieving Plastic Free Town status accreditation from the Surfers against Sewage campaign.

Penarth businesses have a key role to play in reaching the Plastic Free targets and the campaign organisers have found Penarth traders to be very engaged with the issue and keen to be involved. Glebe Street’s Crepe Escape has been very involved with the campaign and has successfully removed all single use plastics from their business. Other local businesses including Hamptons, Shore, Jo’s Organics, Umpalumpa, Foxy’s Deli and many more have also taken strong steps to reduce their use of single use plastics.

Moving forward the campaign aims to involve a wide range of local community organisations and has met with various groups.

This includes the Penarth Youth Action group who have offered practical help and research to the campaign.

GPG committee member Anthony Slaughter said “The response to the launch of the Plastic Free Penarth has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging.

“People are increasingly aware of the serious environmental damage caused by our use of these polluting plastics and are keen to be engaged in tackling this problem. We are looking forward to working together with the community and local businesses in achieving Plastic Free Penarth.”

GPG will be holding a meeting on June 21, venue to be confirmed.