What's new at Plastic Free Thanet this Spring?
We have big plans afoot. Read about our upcoming projects, sustainable businesses leading the way in Thanet, plus campaigns and beach cleans you can get involved with this spring.
Our goals for 2024
We’ve spent some time reflecting on what we’ve done so far and what we want to achieve in 2024. We want to put grassroots community action at the forefront of our work, and support the local community on their journey to becoming plastic free.
What will this look like?
Piloting a reusable cup return scheme in local cafes and drinks venues.
Collaborating with local organisers to improve the environmental sustainability of Margate’s vibrant events calendar.
Starting an information sharing network across Thanet businesses to support businesses in reducing plastic in the supply chain.
Supporting businesses and organisations to understand and implement new legislation on single-use plastics.
Our Steering Group, comprised of representatives from Turner Contemporary, Haeckels, Angela's, Everyday Plastic, Thanet District Council and Thanet Youth Council, will be meeting this spring to share ideas and information on how they are making their business more sustainable. The aim of the network is to improve business sustainability strategy across Thanet, using community curated tools and ideas to reduce single-use plastic waste at the source.
We are still seeking representatives from Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Minster businesses to join the steering group this year. If you'd like to get involved, please contact us.
Spotlight on businesses making a difference in Thanet
As a part of our mission to support businesses in the fight against single-use plastic, we are celebrating some local businesses leading the way with their efforts to stem the flow of single-use plastic at the source.
Refillable Van
A creative take on your classic refill shop, the Refillable Van offers an on-the-go service for those wanting to refill reusable containers with everything from pantry goods to household cleaners. Owner, Sue Bates, helps customers refill at markets all over Kent. Sue also offers a home delivery service for those who struggle to attend markets or carry heavy products home, putting accessibility at the forefront of her business.
We caught up with Sue at Cliftonville Farmers Market to get her take on the refill revolution. Sue explained “It’s not about doing everything perfectly. If everyone made one small change, for example refilling a shampoo bottle, it would have a huge impact”. To learn more about the Refillable Van, check out our case study and head over to the Refillable Van website.
You can catch the Refillable Van at Cliftonville Farmers Market in Margate on the last Sunday of every month, and at Radford House in Effingham Street, Ramsgate every Monday. Keep an eye on socials for updates.
Miss Green Clean
One of our amazing Plastic Free Champions, Sadie of Miss Green Clean, is truly leading the way on taking care of our homes, our health and the planet. Servicing domestic and commercial properties across Thanet, Miss Green Clean offers an eco cleaning and consultancy service that “delivers spotless results without compromising our planet’s health”. Sadie is on a mission to tackle the nasty stuff that lurks within our household cleaners from heavy chemicals to microplastics. She has developed her own line of all-natural cleaning products that she uses and can deliver to your door.
Leave your empties on the doorstep and Miss Green Clean will collect and replace them with full bottles, cleaning and refilling your glass empties to be used again. Sustainability is considered in every part of Sadie’s business, from cleaning sponges to loo roll, Sadie even makes sure her team have access to refillable water bottles while they’re on the job.
For more information on Miss Green Clean check out the website.
Are you a small business owner interested in reducing single-use plastic in your business? Sign up to become a Plastic Free Champion here. Plastic Free Thanet is here to support you along the way. If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch.
Water fountains along Thanet’s coastline
Excessive beach litter and overflowing bins are an all-too-common site on the Thanet coastline and single-use plastic bottles are one of the biggest culprits.
In 2023, Rise Up Clean Up fund raised to install a water fountain on Margate Main Sands with support from Southern Water and Thanet District Council. Water fountains can also be found on beaches in Ramsgate and a new fountain is set to be installed in Broadstairs this spring.
Once switched on at Easter, these stations provide free drinking water for everyone. Councils are now promoting the use of the Refill app, which helps locate cafes, shops, and other places offering free water refills.
The Big Plastic Count with Everyday Plastics
Everyday Plastics is running the Big Plastic Count from 11-17th March 2024.
Taking part is simple:
Collect and count all of the plastic rubbish you produce for a week
Submit your numbers to The Big Plastic Count
This is an opportunity to contribute to a citizen science project collecting data on how much plastic passes through our households, pushing ministers to drive change in our global response to plastic pollution.
Get involved and join 50,000 households in the UK by signing up to the Big Plastic Count here.
SAS: End sewage pollution manifesto
Surfers Against Sewage are campaigning against sewage pollution across the UK with the End Sewage Pollution Manifesto. A recent report from the Rivers Trust reveals that “No stretch of river in England or Northern Ireland is in good overall health” as a result of negligence. SAS are trying to improve the quality of our waterways across the UK, with a manifesto aiming to:
Enforce existing laws and regulations that prevent and punish sewage pollution.
Stop pollution for profit, responsibility for the planet before shareholders and executives.
Take immediate action to remedy high risk pollution events.
Mobilize a nature led approach to deal with pollution.
Improve transparency around sewage pollution in the UK.
To support the campaign, call on your MP to support the manifesto.
Upcoming beach cleans
Join Rise Up Clean Up for the next community beach clean!
Upcoming beach cleans:
Sunday 31st March at 4pm
Sunday 28th of April at 4pm
Sunday 26th of May at 4pm
Meeting at the blue and white beach hut on Margate Main Sands (opposite Arlington House). All equipment is provided and everyone is welcome (and needed!).
Under 18s must be with an adult. Please wear covered shoes.
Keep an eye on RUCU socials for updates.
This is great progress! Are there any plans to expand the reusable cup scheme to Broadstairs cafes? I'd love to see more businesses like Miss Green Clean leading the way. Looking forward to joining the next beach clean!