FRESH efforts are being made to help Poole become a recognised ‘plastic free community’.

Jake Sculthorp and Rosie Bailey, who set up GoPladdle in June, are organising a beach clean this month to launch the initiative, which is being carried out in conjunction with campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.

Earlier this year Poole council chose not to back the scheme to reduce single-use plastics, which was supported by Lib Dem and Poole People Party councillors.

Surfers Against Sewage’s five-point plan for plastic free communities involves businesses, schools and community groups pledging to replace at least three single-use plastic items, eg straws, plastic bottles, plastic bags, or condiment sachets, with suitable alternatives.

Broadstone became an official plastic-free community this year following a campaign by the neighbourhood forum.

Rosie and Jake, who are both passionate about the environment, said they were “greatly saddened” by the increasing amount of litter along the coast.

Since setting up GoPladdle they have been going out on kayaks to access and clean rarely-visited areas of the harbour.

“Some areas had such a large collection of waste (including a lot of engine oil bottles and fishing debris) that they took several days to clear. One day, within less than a one mile stretch we collected over 1,500 plastic bottles alone,” they said.

“Locals and holiday makers are quite deliberately leaving their rubbish behind, and a lot of people either ‘can’t be bothered’ or ‘hadn’t really thought about the impact of litter and pollution’ before.

“There are, however, also a lot of individuals, businesses and organisations who care a lot and also want to see change.”

If Poole meets specific objectives and becomes a ‘plastic free community’, it will “greatly benefit our precious wildlife and beautiful coastlines and also reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfill”, they said.

The beach clean will take place at 10.30am on Sunday, November 25, meeting at the entrance to South Haven Close.

Free hot drinks will be available to those who bring their own cup.

For further details email pladdle@hotmail.com or call 07581068067.