Has been an absolute pleasure to support members of Plastic Free Beaumaris, on behalf of Arloesi Môn on their road to becoming the an approved Plastic Free Community.

Beaumaris has become the first community in north west Wales to be awarded ‘plastic-free’ status by a marine conservation charity. The Plastic Free Beaumaris campaign was established in 2019, by a group of locals who were keen to reduce single-use plastic amongst the town’s businesses and residents. Now, the town has achieved ‘plastic-free community’ accreditation from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) as a recognition of the work which has been done to increase awareness and encourage people to think about their use of plastic.

Group co-ordinator Gwen Evans-Jones said: “We are thrilled to receive this status – and as the first town on Anglesey to do so I hope we can inspire others to follow suit. Since plastic pollution made the headlines a few years ago we are much more aware of the problems it causes marine wildlife and the damage it does. As a seaside town we were keen to do something about it – and for us it’s all about how we can work together to try and make a difference.”

Sioned Thomas from Menter Môn who has been supporting the group throughout, said: “This is a real achievement and we are pleased that the towns’ businesses have embraced the campaign and our efforts to reduce single use plastic. Many have changed their practices, replacing plastic with sustainable alternatives and are now either free of single-use plastics or working towards this goal.

“Our next step is to see how we can move forward. We have further work to do to encourage more businesses to get on board. This is even more important now with reports that there has been a huge increase in single use plastic in the wake of Covid19.”

Local councillor Carwyn Jones, said: “We’re delighted to have received the plastic-free award from SAS. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved, especially the businesses and community group that have been so enthusiastic and put so much effort into it. We will never be totally plastic-free, but it is great that the people of Beaumaris have shown such commitment to eliminating plastic waste from our environment.”

Much of the above was quoted from a press release by Arloesi Môn, to share the group’s success.