Concerns around plastic usage and disposal have taken over the nation this year and various new legislation have been passed to ensure this epidemic is controlled. Thames Valley have been putting some measures into to place to confirm they are part of this anti-plastic movement to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
In October, a group of 20 members from Marlow Canoe Club took to the River Thames and spent six hours removing litter and other waste from the water as members paddled from Marlow to Hurley. A recycling bin and glass bottles were some of the items collected at the river clean by the team. Four canoes stored more than eight full size bags of rubbish on the successful venture that was aimed at restoring the canoe club’s asset.
Club member Andy Flaherty said the group collected more rubbish than anticipated. However, Andy warns that a project like this requires knowledge of the water. “We would not advise members of the public to do it because you need to have the skills of knowing what the water does in terms of flow,” he said.
Situated underneath Marlow Bridge, the Canoe Club regularly use the water for their trips. They are involved in all forms of paddle from extreme white water to relaxed cruising.
Additionally in October, Theresa May dropped in to The Green Parrot to fill up her reusable water bottle. The water bottle was gifted to the Prime Minister by Conservative group Maidenhead Matters on her birthday. The Green Parrot is one of many establishments in Maidenhead that have signed up to a national project called Refill.
The campaign was launched in 2015 by City to Sea, a Bristol based not-for-profit organisation which runs campaigns to fight against marine plastic pollution. The project notifies the public to where they can fill up reusable water bottles in an attempt to reduce the number of single use plastic bottles we use each day.
Jane Hutton and the Maidenhead Challenging Plastic team have assigned over 20 refill stations in the town so far. Donna Stimson, co-leader of Maidenhead Challenging Plastic, said: “With the environmental challenges we face this initiative is so welcome in Maidenhead, everyone wants to see a cleaner town and less single use plastic.”
An app shows where the nearest Refill points are. Go to www.refill.org.uk to find out more.
For us here at Lantern, we are inspired to know that our local area is taking such great steps in helping to ensure our environment is cleaner and safer for all.
Our landmark, modern office in the heart of Maidenhead offers new businesses unrivalled space in a key, gateway location on the corner of Marlow Road and Sun Lane, just three minutes walk from the town centre – it promises to unlock your businesses potential. Visit Lantern or get in touch to find out more.
