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Supported by Telford & Wrekin Council, the Taskforce has written directly to major manufacturing companies whose packaging frequently appears in local litter picks including Aldi, Tesco, Coca Cola and Mars, urging them to take more responsibility for their environmental impact. The letters call for bold action, including reducing unnecessary plastic production, redesigning packaging with sustainable materials, and adopting extended producer responsibility policies.

Local manufacturers have also been contacted and are being encouraged to support the efforts of the Telford and Wrekin Plastic Free Task Force, who are working to gain Plastic Free accreditation for the borough.

They work with businesses, schools, and community organisations to promote plastic-free practices. Examples include:

• The Little Green Pantry in Wellington, which offers eco-friendly refills and sustainable products.
• Fantasy Castles in Hadley, which has overhauled its operations to eliminate single-use plastics.
• Hollinswood Primary School, which conducts annual audits and has made significant changes to reduce plastic use.

With three towns already achieving ‘Plastic Free Status’ through Surfers Against Sewage, the Council is calling on more partners to join the movement and help build a cleaner, greener future for the borough.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, and one of the Council’s representatives on the Plastic Free Task Force, said:

"Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. We’re proud of the progress being made locally, but we need manufacturers to step up and be part of the solution. Now is the perfect time to take action.

“Not only have we written to national manufacturers to express our concerns and urge them to make changes, but we’re also contacting local manufacturers, through the Plastic Free Taskforce, to find out more about what they’re doing to combat single-use plastic and encourage them to join our campaign for a plastic-free borough.”

For more information or to get involved, visit https://www.sustainabletelfordandwrekin.com/what-the-borough-is-doing/telford-and-wrekin-plastic-free-taskforce