For a second year running, Watchet has been awarded Plastic Free Community status by Surfers Against Sewage, having completed the five-step community toolkit to further reduce single use plastic locally.

Regaining the award has required bringing together community groups, local businesses and the town council to demonstrate a commitment to reducing plastic waste, especially single-use plastic.

Throughout the summer, the Plastic Free Watchet steering group were busy reaching out to local businesses and community groups inviting them to join the campaign and gain plastic free status for themselves. Following the autumn beach clean on West Street Beach, the group officially heard that they had been successful in retaining their Plastic Free Community status.

New Community Allies who have made pledges to reduce plastic use this year include 1st Watchet Brownies, 1st Watchet Guides, Watchet Baptist Church, Watchet Methodist Church and Wavemakers WI. Added to the list of local businesses becoming Business Champions are East Quay and Perfectly Lovely Interiors, plus Scentsational Sizzlers who have now gained both Bronze and Silver Business Awards.

Andy Levett, co-Community Lead for the steering group commented: “I’m so aware that initiatives like this only bring effective change if we work together across the community and it’s been great to see that happening with Plastic Free Watchet as well as in the wider West Somerset area. Thank you to everyone who has got involved so far, let’s keep going!”

Plastic Free Watchet are organising a Winter Beach Clean & Litter Pick on Sunday 15 January to which all are invited. Meet at 2pm on the slipway to West Street Beach. Please wrap up warm and bring gardening gloves if you have them. Litter pickers and sacks will be provided.

Iorwerth & Mike from the Community Meal team at Watchet Baptist Church, who are Plastic Free Community Allies
Iorwerth & Mike from the Community Meal team at Watchet Baptist Church, who are Plastic Free Community Allies (Plastic Free Watchet)

For more details about local events or getting your group/business involved in the campaign visit plasticfree.org.uk/get-involved/ or follow ‘Plastic Free Communities in West Somerset’ on Facebook.

Plastic Free Watchet is part of Plastic Free West Somerset (which also includes Plastic Free Minehead, Plastic Free Exmoor and Plastic Free Porlock Vale), all of which are accredited as Plastic Free Communities, a national initiative of campaign group Surfers Against Sewage. https://plasticfree.org.uk/