Over the next eight weeks, an enthusiastic group of local volunteers are helping the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to educate local businesses in Ross-on-Wye on reducing (or discontinuing) ‘unnecessary plastic’ especially takeaway cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery and stirrers, plastic plates, condiment sachets, plastic bottles and plastic bags they give to customers with food orders.

The group are celebrating an early success because many local pubs, including the Ye Old Ferrie Inn, The Alma at Linton, The Royal and The Kings Head, have already said no to plastic straws!

Whilst one group focuses on single use plastic in businesses, another group is focusing on how we can all change our shopping habits to reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic going into landfill: Your Unnecessary Plastic (YUP!)

Jenny Deane, a local Mum whose colleagues are already aware of her passion to reduce plastic use in her workplace, is an active volunteer of YUP! Jenny, with her other team mates, are going into shops to find alternatives that local people can buy.

“I was terrified the first time I went into a shop to see what they stocked,” says Jenny. “But I found the shop managers very friendly after I explained what I was doing and why. It’s really exciting finding out what shops in Ross-on-Wye have and I was surprised at what was available.”

Charlotte Reynolds, General Manager of the Ross Gazette said: “From next week, YUP! will be writing a column for the Gazette on a monthly basis, where readers will be asked to contribute their ideas and what they are doing to reduce their consumption of unnecessary plastic.”

The column will outline a three step process - change a habit, purchase differently and make your own - including advice on personal care, bathroom, travel, out and about and kitchen items.

If you want to participate in the WyeUP campaign, please contact Emma Cunningham, Senior Clean Seas Advocate (Business) at MCS on 01989 561590 or e-mail: [email protected]

Alternatively, check out their easy to read booklet ‘living without single-use plastic’ on their website: https://www.mcsuk.org