Agenda item

The Board gave consideration to a report of the Principal Policy Officer with regards to the draft Strategy that responded to a motion to the Council on single-use plastics.

At its meeting on 28^th March 2018, the Council had received a motion in relation to the elimination of single-use plastic materials to achieve a significant reduction in plastic waste. The Council had resolved to ask the Cabinet to:

·         Develop a robust strategy to make Oldham a ‘single-use plastic-free’ authority by the end of 2018 and encourage the Borough’s institutions, businesses and citizens to adopt similar measures;

·         End the sale and provision of single use plastic products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council buildings, or council supported venues, wherever possible; promoting the use of non-plastic recyclable alternatives e.g.paper straws to ensure our venues remain accessible to those with additional needs.

·         Encourage traders across the Borough to sell re-usable containers and invite customers to bring their own.

·         Consider the merits and practicalities of introducing a ‘window sticker’ scheme to accredit local businesses that are committed to reducing plastic waste through, for example, offering free water bottle refills.

·         Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at council supported events to avoid single use plastics as a condition of their contract; with a view to phasing out all single use plastics at markets and events in the Borough by the end of 2018.

·         Work with tenants in commercial properties owned by Oldham Council to encourage them to phase out single use plastic cups, bottles, cutlery and straws.

The report set out the draft strategy and supporting action plan to address the Council motion.

Four objectives had been identified:-

a)            Reduce Council use of single use plastics

b)            Engage strategic partners and businesses

c)            Engage schools and community groups

d)            Engage residents

The Action Plan had actions for each of these objectives, including specific actions on communications for each objective, which formed an overall communications plan.

Members noted that the strategy highlighted the existence of replacement products for those that would cease to be available from 2020. It was recognised that these may be more expensive initially and there would be a need to keep up to date with new products as they came on the market.

The Board was informed that the suggested window sticker scheme had been considered and would not be pursued further. The Council was instead looking into the promotion of compostable bags, possibly decorated with the Manchester bee emblem. Schools and community groups were also being engaged.

Members sought and received clarification/commented on the

following points:

·         The introduction of compostable bags was much preferred to the window sticker scheme

·         Could an online tool be developed to signpost towards alternative products – the Council was not able to recommend particular suppliers or products and could provide general advice. It was acknowledged that the market in such products was rapidly evolving.

The Board was informed that the Strategy would be considered by the Cabinet in December, with a view to being put before the Council in January.

RESOLVED that the Single-Use Plastics Strategy 2019-2022 be approved.