Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) will be supporting Plastic Free Day on May 8th, which aims to raise awareness of how much disposable plastic we all use in our everyday lives.

The awareness day, which will be the first of its kind, will take place on David Attenborough’s birthday as the idea was inspired by an episode of Blue Planet that focused on the damage that plastic is doing.

Chief Fire Officer Nathan Travis, who is the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) lead for Environment and Sustainability, said: “Plastic products are damaging our earth. Not only do they clog up our oceans and are hazardous to wildlife, but they also cause air pollution when they are burnt.

“Reducing the amount of plastic we use will improve our health, help our environment and help reduce waste fires which can be damaging in many ways.”

Members of the public can help support Plastic Free Day by refusing single use plastic for 24 hours on May 8th. This could be done by:

• Swapping to a reusable water bottle

• Using reusable shopping bags or cardboard boxes

• Choosing loose fresh products

• Using brown paper bags

• Using a thermal mug for coffee shop refills

• Refusing to use a straw

• Choosing glass/cardboard packaging

• Using refills

• Shopping at the deli counter/butcher/fishmonger

• Using reusable storage containers or lunchboxes

For more information please visit www.plasticfreeday.co.uk or search plastic free on Facebook and Twitter.