There are only a few days to go now until Sustainable St Albans Week 2018, so I want to share with you some of the fab things that will be going on! If you are local, then pop along to some of the events to learn more about eco living and show your support. And if you aren’t local, maybe these ideas will inspire you to host your own event in your local town!
The week will be kicking off with an afternoon of talks to launch the event, as well as over a dozen activities on just the first day alone. Over the course of the week there is a massive range of fun, educational and inspiring activities for all ages.
Some of the highlights include the grand opening of our first ‘Little Free Library’ – where you can take a book and donate another, several guided walks and cycle rides, organised wildlife watch, vegan cooking demo and tasting (yum!), plenty of talks and workshops on various topics, eco tours, growing activities, seed swaps, clothes swaps, litter picks, poetry recitals and film screenings. The list goes on and on…! It is a jam packed week full of brilliant options to choose from.
Children can also meet Munch the recycling lorry and discover more about recycling, do creative activities using old items, take part in interactive storytelling, attend woodcraft taster sessions, and swap books, amongst other things. Lots of the other activities are very family- friendly and suitable for all ages too of course!
For the full event schedule visit the Sustainable St Albans website and download the booklet.
There is also a one day Know- How Festival, which sounds brilliant! I thought this was worth a specific mention as it has so much going on for the whole family. Here is further information…
As part of Sustainable St Abans Week, on Sunday 22nd April, which very aptly is also Earth Day, marks the official launch of Plastic Free St Albans. I am so excited about this, so let me tell you more about it!
Plastic Free St Albans is inspired by Surfers Against Sewage – an environmental charity who are leading a national campaign called Plastic Free Coastlines, to encourage communities to drastically reduce single use plastics – and is an alliance of several local activists. It was founded by Emma Tyers, who previously ran the hugely successful St Albans Refuse the Straw campaign and also has members from our fantastic local groups, Sustainable St Albans and St Albans Friends of the Earth, too. What a team! The group aims to hopefully achieve S.A.S Plastic Free status eventually.
The main goal is to work with local businesses, schools, and other organisations to remove, as far as possible, plastic straws and stirrers, water bottles and balloons from St Albans. These particular items are being targetted because they are so rarely recycled, and therefore form such a large part of our plastic waste and litter.
They are also working on St Albans Refill scheme, which asks businesses to provide free water bottle refills to anyone who asks, free of charge. Look out for other upcoming projects in future too!
Last but not least, check out their excellent interactive map of all things plastic free, so you can see how the campaign is developing and, more importantly, know where to head to avoid the plastic! Awesome initiative, looking forward to seeing the map grow!
You can also read more about Plastic Free St Albans in this Herts Ad article.
To launch this fantastic new campaign, there will be a plastic-free picnic at Highfield park on Sunday afternoon, followed by a screening of A Plastic Ocean in the evening, along with a panel of guest speakers, hosted at the beautiful Odyssey cinema. There are only a few tickets left, so grab yours now!
Enjoy what promises to be an inspirational and exciting week!
GIVEAWAY!!!
To help celebrate and support both Sustainable St Albans Week and Plastic Free St Albans, the lovely Sally from Leonard of London has offered us a stunning piece of jewellery to giveaway to one lucky campaign supporter! This gorgeous handmade ring is made from recycled sterling silver and has a beautiful labradorite stone.
The ring will be resized for the winner as per the measurements given before sending it to them.
Check out Leonard of London on facebook for more of her work.
The giveaway ends on 21st May 2018 and is open to UK residents only. Enter via rafflecopter below. Other T&Cs apply.
Good luck!
We’ve stopped using plastic straws .we just aren’t using straws anymore! x
I rarely use plastic bags anymore – I use a canvass shopper and keep it in the car. Plus I recycle when other people leave empty bottles about!!
I use a refillable cup for coffe when out and about, use my own shopping bags and try to buy loose fruit and veg from our local greengrocer’s rather than shrink-wrapped ones from the supermarket
I have embraced the tote bag so don’t use plastic carrier bags any more, I try to use less products in general or buy larger bottles, and I try to buy products in paper or cardboard packaging wherever possible
I’m no longer using disposal straws or cups
I’ve stopped using straws and have bought re-usable containers for packed lunches rather then using food bags & clingfilm to package food.
alwas take m own bag never buy plastic ones x
We’ve replaced our plastic straws with aluminium ones.
Buying plastic free fruit and veg from the market
No more takeaway coffees in plastic cups for me! I always have my reusable cup and a metal straw where ever I go. My family and I stopped chewing gums a few years ago after I realized we’re chewing on plastic that can’t be recycled.
Instead of buying new plastic plant pots for my seeds I have reused old ones from the garden centre and cut up plastic milk bottles too – waste not want not is back again!
Reusable cups x
Buy loose vegetables and fruit where possible – it’s cheaper too!
I’ll drink my coffee from reusable cups
We have stopped buying small bottles of water..use or refillable bottles now. Saving money as well as cutting back on plastic. Really trying to buy more from butchers etc to cut back on supermarket packaging.
I’ll stop using balloons for parties etc! Thanks for this post – I live in STA and this is so interesting!
We all have reusable water bottles now and we take them everywhere
i have a glass water bottle for work, a reusuable coffee cup and use hessian bags for shopping.
I’ve stopped buying individual plastic bottles of squash for the kids. Instead I buy one big bottle and they each have a refillable drinks cup that they take to school with them. This cuts out at least 10 small plastic bottles each week.
Get rid of the plastic by using reusable bottles.
I use a cloth washable bag environmentally friendly and nice to look at too
I’ve decided to completely give up straws, wetwipes and plastic bags.
I will stop buying plastic plant pots and use paper and cardboard ones!
Yes please, so beautiful. Wtg towards making the planet greener ???
I have stopped buying pre-packed vegetables from the supermarket and visit the local markets, the food tastes nicer and less plastic waste in our bins
I have just stopped buying plastic bags for my cats’ litter and now buy compostable bags to dispose of it.
I learned that balloons are particularly harmful to the environment, as they take so long to break down.
I have started to buy loose veg and fruit, not pre-packed
I’ll remember to keep bags in the car for stops at the store.
I don’t buy soft drinks in plastic bottles any more. Cans which I can recycle or glass for us now.
No more plastic cups or shopping bags
I don’t use plastic carrier bags, even “Bags For Life.” I use cloth bags that have the added benefit of being washable.
I use a reusable water bottle
I refuse straws in my drinks and reuse food bags.
Recently started reusing plastic bags
I will cut out using plastic straws and plastic cup and take my own re-usable cup on my travels
I will buy and use metal straws after learning of the environmental impact plastic is having on our planet!
Invest in some reusable bottles for myself and my family!
I take my own bags when I go shopping
Get a reusable cup
We are keen recyclers and I use my reusable water bottle ?
I always use my refillable water bottle – so easy and much cheaper
using sandwich boxes instead of plastic bags or cling film. Recycle as much as possible.
I take my own bag to the supermarket and have stopped buying plastic straws
We get our milk from the local farm in glass bottles which are washed and reused.
i will recycle more plastic and use the strong non plastic shopping bags.
After reading this I’ll be making some changes. When I go shopping I’ll try to buy things like juice and milk in cartons instead of plastic bottles and I won’t be using supermarket carrier bags either. I’ll buy some fabric shopping bags instead.
I will refuse plastic cutlery
I will separate and recycle more of my rubbish.
Using travel mugs and not disposable cups
I gave up on plastic bags twenty years ago and nowadays I try not to buy any fruit/veg in plastic. Also I take my reusable cup for coffee with me, look for glass instead of plastic bottles/jars and NEVER buy anything in black plastic trays as they’re not recyclable.
Have my meat from the butchers wrapped in paper not in plastic bags
using metal straws
I have my own travel mug now, so no more disposable coffee cups
i have bought us metal straws so they are reusable i have also bought us all a water bottle that can be refilled
No more plastic straws
I will not give the children straws anymore
Were going to stop buying multipack bottles and get the largest size to save on plastic waste. We always recycle too and use our own coffee cannisters 🙂 .
I’m going to try to buy less products with plastic packaging that is none-recyclable. I already recycle as much plastic as possible and re-use plastic soft drink bottles for carrying water. I’ve been involved in a number of petition campaigns to persuade businesses to cut down or eliminate single use plastic, particularly the type that is not widely recyclable, and I share these campaigns across my social media channels to encourage others to sign and get involved.
ive stopped using a straw in my drinks
Stop using sandwich bags
I never use plastic bags any more, as you can get so many lovely designs with canvas shopping bags now. I also use a reusable metal flask for water, when out and about – instead of plastic bottles.
I could cut down on freezer bags and sandwich bags x
I never buy carrier bags in shops, I always take a canvas bag with me
I am going to stop buying water in plastic bottles. Instead I’ll put a jug of water in the fridge and keep it topped up 🙂
I’ve stopped using plastic bags and always ensure I have some cotton shopping bags out with me.
no more plastic carrier bags for us as a family, all resuable stuff.
I’ve stopped buying plastic carrier bags and will be buying my grandchildren reusable straws
No to use plastic straws, they are bad for the planet
I’ll use reusable produce bags, bottles and cups.
I will buy more fruit and veg from a local market instead of the supermarket as they tend to over package in plastic materials.
I’ve downloaded the ReFill app so now I can refill my water bottle on the go rather than reaching for a new disposable plastic one.
I have bought some metal straws
We have switched to re-usable coffee mugs will buy mushrooms in paper bags rather than those in black plastic trays which cannot be recycled.
I have a re-fillible bottle for when I go out
My own reusable cup – no more takeaway coffee
I love cleaning my ears with cotton buds! but, I have switched to olive oil instead! I have done all the tips on your great website too – thanks for the chance
I reduce my plastic waste by using jars when shopping
I have stopped buying the kids cheap plastic straws for their drinks and got one funky one each which they can reuse time and time again 🙂
I’m going to reduce my use of cotton buds and choose the paper ones
I always use my own shopping bags so no single use bags and I have stopped buying plastic water bottles x
Nice prize
I do not use plastic bags at supermarkets I load food straight into the trolley straight into hessian bags in the car boot. I will continue to do this and try and reduce buying foods with excess Packaging
I will stop using plastic straws
I buy fruit and vegetables from local grocer who uses paper bags, rather than at supermarket with items packed in plastic.
I’ve just started using metal straws after learning of the environmental impact plastic is having on our planet!
I have a reusable coffee, which I ask to use when buying coffe on the go. We also don’t use plastic straws and have a soda stream to make our own soft drinks – using reusable glass bottles!