Wye Unecessary Plastic (WyeUP) have been out and about over the last two weeks presenting awards to businesses who have taken part in the business surveys to reduce or stop the use of single use plastic (SUP).

Each business has been questioned about how much single use plastic is used within their business, if and how they plan to reduce or completely stop using unnecessary plastic, and when they aim to do so. Some of them have qualified for the gold standard, which is set by the Marine Conservation Society.

The businesses who have so far achieved silver will be revisited by the volunteers to offer advice on how to move up to a gold award.

There have been six gold standards awarded and five silver. All the recipients were delighted with their achievement and the WyeUP volunteers are very proud that there are many businesses taking the reduction of single use plastic in Ross so seriously. More awards will follow in the coming weeks once all the number crunching has been carried out.

The gold awardees are: The White House (Joy Bissett), Linden House (Pat & Claire O’Reilly), The Kings Head (James Vidler), Truffles (Richard Mayo), Restaurant No3, and Leonard’s at 39 (both Darren Leonard).

The silver awardees are: Man of Ross (Mark Hazelwood), Priory Coffee House (Shirley Williams), King Charles (Colin Laing) Bridge House (Kathryn & Kevin Whyte), Wilton Court (Helen & Roger Wyn).

The move from silver to gold may be something as simple as stopping the use of a plastic stirrer, or straws. The residents of Ross can help businesses to achieve this by bringing their own straws, either paper, or by buying some aluminium forever straws.

You can also use your own reusable cup instead of using a takeaway cup that cannot be recycled. Another good idea is having a drinks bottle for life that can be refilled by any of the restaurants or coffee shops in town. Let’s help turn Ross golden by helping local businesses, and in turn help the environment by reducing plastic use and waste.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.