#ChoosetoReuse #PlasticFreeGM
Living with less plastic is made easy thanks to the @Refill app!
It’s time to transition away from our disposable culture, towards systems of reuse and refill. Get the app and join the Refill Revolution!
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Did you know ...
Scientists predict that by 2050, if we don’t change our ways, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
Did you know ...
Plastic waste is expected to rise by 20% in the next 20 years.
Did you know ...
Up to 7 million coffee cups are thrown away every day in the UK.
ABOUT US
Greater Manchester has launched the first city-region wide plan to drive down avoidable single-use plastics!
PlasticFreeGM asks businesses, organisations and individuals to pledge to take action to reduce avoidable single use plastics across Greater Manchester. PlasticFreeGM works with campaigning partners to provide information and advice to guide more sustainable choices.
A number of sector specific campaigns are taking off to offer relevant support and information on reducing single use plastics. Find out more below.
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WHAT ARE THE STEPS?
PlasticFreeGM will work through the ‘worst offenders’ in terms of avoidable single use plastics (straws, stirrers, takeaway containers and cutlery, etc) and offers advice and guidance on how to make more sustainable, low carbon choices.
Our factsheets will talk through the minefield that is biodegradable, oxo-degradable and compostable materials and offer you the best advice on making a change.
We will share best practice and case studies of businesses and organisations in Greater Manchester who are taking action, and inspiring change.
WHO ARE THE TEAM?
The PlasticFreeGM campaign is delivered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in partnership with many organisations and individuals across Greater Manchester.
The progress of the campaign will be overseen by a steering group and board at the GMCA. Further details will be available on the GMCA website.
Our partners
The GMCA is working alongside a number of individuals and organisations to bring you the PlasticFreeGM campaign. Those leading on this campaign have researched, reviewed, discussed and considered as best we can the products, behaviours, systems, and choices currently available (and those that we recognise are currently lacking) in reducing single-use plastics, and in more generally shifting towards a more sustainable future. If you feel that any of the advice we are offering needs to change or can provide any key pieces of knowledge, please get in touch.
Marketing Manchester
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The agency charged with promoting Greater Manchester on the national and international stage to visitors, investors, con.... read more
Real Junk Food Manchester
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Corin Bell is a Manchester born and bred sustainability consultant and social entrepreneur. She founded and is a Directo.... read more
Seastraw
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SeaStraw is a Greater Manchester volunteer-led campaign working with local hospitality businesses to reduce their use of.... read more
Manchester Friends of the Earth
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Manchester Friends of the Earth stands with anyone who cares about the world we live in, whether you’re a first time s.... read more
The Benefits
PlasticFreeGM is one campaign within a huge range of other actions in our efforts to lower our city-regions carbon footprint, and move towards carbon neutrality. We also aim to reduce energy use, pollution, and support Greater Manchester in becoming a more sustainable place to work, live and visit.
What can i do?
We are asking businesses, organisations and individuals to pledge to take action to reduce avoidable single-use plastics across Greater Manchester.
Your support can make a real difference.
REASONS TO MAKE A CHANGE
250 METRIC
TONNES
Scientists predict there will be
250 million metric tons of plastic
in the ocean by 2030.
By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans
than there are fish.
9 BILLION
PLASTIC STRAWS
It is estimated that somewhere between 5 billion - 9 billion single-use plastic straws are thrown away in the UK every year
400 YEARS
TO DEGRADE
Plastic straws are used on
average for 20 minutes, but can
take over 400 years to degrade.
Success Stories
Reduce, Reuse, Refill, Repeat
REFILL. REFRESHED.
City to Sea have taken their award-winning Refill campaign to the next level!Refill will always be a drinking water campaign, but plastic polluti....
Keeping reusable coffee cups on the menu
#CONTACTLESSCOFFEE
The #ContactlessCoffee campaign has been launched by City to Sea in partnership with Better Food to advise cafes and restaurants on how to safely use ....
Refill Greater Manchester
It's looking good for Greater Manchester to be one of the greatest Refillable regions in the UK!
We're growing our network of local refill schemes day by day - so whethe....
Paper Bee Sip Straws
A new straw joins the hive — The Manchester Bee Paper Sip Straw!
The sip straw is a neat 5.5” (14cm) with a small bore, and is the perfect size for cocktails, mixed ....
M20 Refills
Despite the fact that there are now a wide range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products on the market, the majority of them still come in single-use plastic ....
Envirolution Festival
Envirolution is a volunteer-led one day festival held annually at Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield
The festival celebrates all aspects of living sustainably. It’s free....
Gronn Eco Salon
Sustainability is clearly something that’s very close to Rachael Kennedy’s heart…
“I guess I’ve always been what you would call a conscious consumer”, says ....
SeaStraw
Working with pubs, bars, restaurants and other businesses using disposable food items
...they help the businesses to transition to sustainable alternatives and become pl....
Paper Bee Straws
Paper bee straws are creating a plastic-free buzz around Greater Manchester
Their arrival is part of a growing range of initiatives that all contribute towards the Mayor....
Grindsmith
Grindsmith began as a paperless business
...but for owner Pete, that just simply was not enough! The next step was to use plastic packaging alternatives such as large re....
Fulfilled
Fulfilled is the brain child of Abbie Sellers
Abbie is a person on a mission to inspire and educate others to reduce their plastic waste footprint through sustainable sh....
Flourish
The products on offer
...are free from single-use plastics, and the business was created in response to owner Nikki’s frustration at how difficult it can be to find pl....
