Latest news with #CitytoSea
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The supermarket bag-style charge campaigners want for single-use plastics
Half of UK adults want to see an additional charge on single-use plastic packaging, much like the supermarket bag charge introduced in 2015. This would see consumers face an additional charge for buying plastic-wrapped fruit, for example. Natalie Fée, founder of anti-plastic charity City to Sea, told Yahoo News that the organisation's research has shown that supermarket-bag-style charges are effective and that consumers like the idea. She said: "We know now that the public consistently respond positively to straightforward, transparent approaches to tackling plastic pollution. A charge on single-use plastic packaging works because people suddenly see that packaging, in this instance, plastic packaging, does actually have an intrinsic value that needs to be paid for. And then they realise they can avoid paying it, by using reusables, for example with plastic bags, water bottles or coffee cups." 'A charge on plastic isn't abstract policy, it's something people experience at the checkout, prompting an immediate decision. The success of the plastic bag charge is proof — people understand that they can either pay a little more for disposable or avoid the fee by choosing reusable alternatives. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of plastic pollution, a simple charge gives people a concrete way to be part of the solution every time they shop." The supermarket bag charge saw the number of bags sold by retailers drop by over 98% compared to 2014 levels, from 7.6 billion to just 79 million. But during the same period, 1.5 billion bags for life (stronger plastic bags meant to be reused) were sold in the UK. Fée says that this highlights that there should have been higher charges on bags for life. She said: "Yes, the number of bags sold by major retailers dropped. However, bag for life sales increased. "That needed to be considered at the same time — just replacing one type of plastic bag with another didn't address the underlying issue of a disposable culture. There should have been higher charges on bags for life, and that should have been across the board." The research with 2004 people by City to Sea found that 72% of consumers say they want more reusable, refillable and returnable options. Consumers also want some plastic items to be banned outright. Almost half (42% of people) said they want to see a total ban on plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables, single-use plastic bags and plastic water bottles. From June 2025, disposable vapes will be banned. A Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will see consumers paid to return bottles in 2027. The government is also consulting on further bans on single-use plastics, including plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups. The government's Simpler Recycling scheme (in force for businesses from 2025 and households from 2026) aims to ensure there is no 'postcode lottery' around plastic recycling. Under the scheme, different areas will all have the same rules around what is recycled. Under Simpler Recycling, all councils must collect the same waste streams, one of which is dry recycling including plastic. By March 2027, plastic films will be able to be recycled in all areas. Experts hope this will mean councils will be able to start recycling plastics that are not currently recycled, such as polystyrene. Having one rule nationwide means it's easier to collect, process and recycle many different plastics.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Groups set up green skills scheme for young people
A new placement scheme is being launched to give young people from marginalised communities paid work in the environmental sector. GENeration ReuZe is the latest project from Bristol-based organisations City to Sea and the Youth Environment Service (YES). The partnership is looking to raise £20,000 for the green skills project, which would then receive £5,000 match funded by Big Give's Green Match Fund. City to Sea CEO Jane Martin said: "A climate and environmental emergency is all our young people know. They are paying the high costs for previous generations' throw-away culture and plastic waste." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol She added: "Generation ReuZe will give 18 to 25 year-olds a say in how the future circular economy should work and a seat at the table with government leaders and legislators." The project will support two young activists into 12-month-long, full-time, paid placements at a living wage. They will also have access to a career coach and join a network of peers. YES co-director Jess Clynewood said the scheme will ensure young people will have access to "amazing opportunities". "YES aims to offer life-changing experiences for young people, and I have no doubt that working with City to Sea to tackle plastic pollution and clear up our waterways will be a fantastic first step into a green career," she said. Organisations or individuals that want to be considered should contact YES or City to Sea direct. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'Climate voices are being drowned out' World Refill Day launched to tackle plastic crisis City to Sea YES
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bristol environmental groups creating paid work for young people
A new placement scheme is being launched to give young people from marginalised communities paid work in the environmental ReuZe is the latest project from Bristol-based organisations City to Sea and the Youth Environment Service (YES).The partnership is looking to raise £20,000 for the green skills project, which would then receive £5,000 match funded by Big Give's Green Match to Sea CEO Jane Martin said: "A climate and environmental emergency is all our young people know. They are paying the high costs for previous generations' throw-away culture and plastic waste." She added: "Generation ReuZe will give 18 to 25 year-olds a say in how the future circular economy should work and a seat at the table with government leaders and legislators."The project will support two young activists into 12-month-long, full-time, paid placements at a living will also have access to a career coach and join a network of co-director Jess Clynewood said the scheme will ensure young people will have access to "amazing opportunities". "YES aims to offer life-changing experiences for young people, and I have no doubt that working with City to Sea to tackle plastic pollution and clear up our waterways will be a fantastic first step into a green career," she or individuals that want to be considered should contact YES or City to Sea direct.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alarming ingredient found in chewing gum linked to heart damage, kidney disease: 'A human health emergency'
Your chewing gum may have some of the same ingredients as plastic grocery bags and tires, but a U.K. campaign aims to put a stop to this. Environmental nonprofit City to Sea is teaming up with plastic-free gum company Nuud to raise awareness about the plastic ingredients found in most chewing gums. Talking Retail highlighted the quest, reporting that the U.K. consumes around 4 billion pieces of plastic gum annually, which it says is equal to about 4 billion plastic straws. The organization is pushing for the government to ban plastic chewing gum and wants to expose what it calls a misleading labeling of ingredients such as polyethylene, which is commonly used in plastic bags, and butadiene-styrene rubber, which is used in car tires. "Every chew is like biting into a plastic straw," said City to Sea CEO Jane Martin. According to Talking Retail, 12 tons of this gum are discarded annually in the U.K., ending up on sidewalks and in landfills and waterways. The publication adds that the country shells out millions of pounds every year to remove gum from pavement. However, the problem is global in scope. GreenSeas Trust, an organization working to eliminate plastic pollution in seas and coastal areas, estimates that chewing gum contributes more than 110,000 tons of plastic pollution annually. It says that this waste exacerbates our microplastic problem, threatening humans and wildlife. Exposure to microplastics has been tied to heart damage and kidney disease, among other health problems. "Plastic pollution isn't just an environmental crisis—it's a human health emergency," Martin said, per Talking Retail. A number of companies offer plastic-free gum. For instance, Simply Gum, a U.S.-based brand, offers gum made from tree sap. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Meanwhile, we can all do our part to help with the plastic plague by cutting down on single-use plastics. The problem may seem overwhelming, but some companies are taking action to help cut down on plastic pollution. For instance, McDonald's U.K. banned all plastic cutlery, and some startups are making recyclable plastic out of more eco-conscious ingredients such as food waste and plant cells. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
All single-use cups removed from university
A university is removing all single-use cups from its campuses following a pilot scheme which "saved 4,500 disposable cups from landfill". Last year, Bath Spa University (BSU) teamed up with Bristol-based environmental charity, City to Sea, to offer people a variety of sustainable options for their drinks. Under the scheme, people who do not have a reusable cup can borrow one via the charity's Refill app. Jane Martin, the charity's CEO, said she expected other universities to follow suit. The charity's spokesperson previously said: "Single-use coffee cups are not just an ugly blight on our beautiful countryside but also break down into microplastics. "Even cups that look and feel like paper can have a plastic lining which breaks down causing harm to wildlife and entering our food system." According to the charity, 3.2 billion single-use cups are thrown away every year in the UK - a figure which prompted its Refill Return Cup scheme and app. Customers using the app show a QR code at the till to get their drink served in a returnable takeaway cup. Once finished, the cup can be returned into a box so it can be cleaned and reused. Jo Stocks, the university's chair of sustainability steering group, said they are "committed" to protecting the planet. "What we've achieved in the last year with City to Sea, and continue to do, is bringing us one step closer to our goal," she added. University leaders said 4,500 cups were saved from landfill during the pilot and they now plan to permanently remove single-use cups from their buildings. There are more than five trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans. This plastic ends up in the food chain as animals mistake plastic for food. Animals also get trapped in our plastic pollution. Over time, plastic waste slowly degrades and breaks down into tiny micro-fragments, which are also causing scientists concern. And the way that plastic is created has harmful effects as well, as it involves the burning of fossil fuels. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'Climate voices are being drowned out' Charity hope reusable cup use becomes 'normal' World Refill Day launched to tackle plastic crisis Bath Spa University City to Sea
