A CAMPAIGN is under way to make Broadstone a ‘plastic free community’ despite Poole council’s refusal to back a national scheme which would have given the town a similar status.

Members of the Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum have vowed to commit to a five-point plan devised by the environment group Surfers Against Sewage to reduce single-use plastics. A steering group led by Cllr Mike Brooke has been set up to achieve the goal.

As part of this bid, five businesses in the area will have to replace at least three single-use plastic items, e.g. straws, plastic bottles, plastic bags, or condiment sachets, with suitable alternatives. Thirty per cent of schools, and 50 per cent of community organisations will also need to pledge to cut down on their use of plastics.

Natasha Ray, community leader for Plastic Free Broadstone, said the group was striving “to keep Broadstone beautiful and work towards reducing our plastic footprint”.

“It was very frustrating that Poole council did not support adopting the Surfers Against Sewage plan as it really is achievable. Like getting a Blue Flag for a beach, the town will only become ‘plastic free’ if it sets objectives and drives towards targets.

“The Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum will write to Surfers Against Sewage to see if they will honour us on the same level as a parish council so Broadstone can become a Plastic Free Community.

“We already have four businesses in Broadstone achieving the target of removing three plastic items. And we have organised a Great Plastic Pick Up on May 12 and hope to get enough people involved.”

Natasha, who runs an online eco-friendly store, said she hoped Broadstone would become the first official plastic-free community in Dorset. “I think it will still be a good three months of work yet as we need to approach some schools, but I’ve got a million ideas for how we can make some really easy changes.”

At a recent meeting of Borough of Poole, members agreed to look at ways of replacing single-use plastics but stopped short of backing the Surfers Against Sewage scheme supported by Lib Dem and Poole People Party councillors.