The UK’s leading marine charity is launching its annual challenge, to avoid single-use plastic during the whole of July, at Wales’ first zero waste shop. Of the more than 8 million tonnes of plastic that gets dumped in our oceans every year, half of it comes from disposable items that are only used once before being thrown away.
MCS runs hundreds of beach cleans around the UK annually and data reveals a rise of 180% in the amount of plastic litter found on beaches in the last two decades. Plastic bags, bottles and tiny plastic pieces, are regularly found in the stomachs of turtles and other sea creatures and can cause death from starvation or choking.
Natural Weigh in Crickhowell is owned and run by Robin and Chloe Masefield. The couple previously worked in the environment sector and have seen first-hand the pervasive nature of plastic pollution. Their shop sells organic, additive free food dispensed from hoppers straight into customers’ own containers, enabling people to live a more sustainable life.
Over the last five years, the Plastic Challenge has revealed just how tough it is to go completely plastic free, especially when it comes to doing the food shop. Pasta, cereals, pulses, nuts and coffee have all been highlighted as being tough to get hold of without the presence of plastic. At Natural Weigh, these, many other foodstuffs and personal products can all be bought, plastic-free!
MCS’s Erin O’Neill hopes plenty of people will take on the challenge. “We’re thrilled to be kicking off the month in Wales at Natural Weigh and hope that many customers will try to ditch huge amounts of single-use plastic from their lives.”
Chloe Masefield from Natural Weigh says, “Reducing single use plastic waste can seem a daunting challenge for people because plastic is so pervasive. Plastic Free July is a great way to get started, with plenty of encouragement and tips from the brilliant people at MCS. We are delighted to be hosting the launch at our shop”
Staff from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), will be at Natural Weigh in the Corn Exchange, on Saturday June 29 from 10:30am, giving out information booklets and seeds to encourage home growing.
Unit 1 Corn Exchange, 54 High Street, Crickhowell, NP8 1BH 01873 269493
www.naturalweigh.co.uk
hello@naturalweigh.co.uk
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