Press release published on behalf of Plastic Free Beaumaris campaign

A seaside town on Anglesey has become the first on the island and in north west Wales to be awarded 'plastic-free' status by a leading marine conservation charity.

The Plastic Free Beaumaris campaign was established in 2019, by locals 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). It recognises the work which has been done to increase awareness and encourage people to think about their use of plastic.

To gain the Plastic Free Beaumaris status, volunteers have held activities and training sessions with support and funding from local social enterprise, Menter Môn. The main focus has been the town’s businesses, encouraging owners to reduce their use of throw-away plastic such as straws, cutlery and packaging.

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.”

Robert Charlton, owner of Tredici added: “We were only too pleased to get on board with Plastic-Free Beaumaris. It was something we had looked at as a business for a while, so this gave us the encouragement we needed. We’re delighted that the town has now achieved this important status.”

Sioned Thomas from Menter Môn who has been supporting the team 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 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.”

Councillor for the Seiriol ward which includes Beaumaris, 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 groups that have been so enthusiastic and put so much effort into it. It will be a challenge to be totally plastic-free, but it is great that the people of Beaumaris have shown such commitment to eliminating plastic waste from our environment.”

Date: 27.01.2021

Caption: The Plastic-free Beaumaris team with Sioned Morgan Thomas of Menter Môn and Cllr Carwyn Jones

Notes to editors:

• The businesses which have signed up to the campaign include Mercado; Tredici; Central Bakery; Y Ganolfan and Happy Valley Pavilion.
• Boby Botel is the campaign mascot designed by local school children - it will continue to be used on materials to promote plastic-free Beaumaris.
• Plastic Free Beaumaris was supported by the LEADER programme, run by Menter Môn under the Arloesi Môn banner. LEADER looks at trailing new ideas in order to look for solutions to the challenges faced by rural communities on the island.
• Menter Môn has been appointed by Welsh Government as the administrative body for the EU LEADER programme on Anglesey and Gwynedd. It’s Funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and co-financed by Anglesey Charitable Trust.
• Menter Môn is a social enterprise which works across north Wales to deliver a range of regeneration, environmental and cultural projects for the benefit of local communities. By working in partnership with government, the third sector, business and individuals, Menter Môn attracts funding from different sources to add value and to contribute to creating a sustainable future.