Medway Council becomes a single use plastic free authority

UKVending is proud to have its base in Rochester in the heart of the Medway Towns in Kent. We are also encouraged to read that Medway Council has recently voted to become a single use plastic free authority.

So what exactly does this mean for the people and businesses of the Medway Towns, such as UKVending? The decision will see the council implement a phased programme to completely remove the use of plastic bottles, straws, coffee stirrers, plastic bags and food wrappings. The proposal was first proposed by Cllr Andy Stamp, with the aim of achieving the target within six months. This ambitious target was seen as overly ambitious by fellow councillor Jane Chitty and now the council has stated that it will stop using single use plastics (SUPs) “as soon as is reasonably practical”.

Cllr Andy Stamp, Labour Spokesman for Regeneration, Culture and Transport, said: “I’m pleased the motion has broadly been accepted and the Council has agreed to become single use plastic free.”

Elsewhere in Kent Faversham Town Council have recently announced a “Say No to Throwaway Plastic week.”

In 2015, the Government introduced the plastic bag levy – putting a 5p price on plastic bags and subsequently seeing bag use drop by 85%.