Project Objectives

There are five key objectives that we need to meet to gain Plastic Free Community accreditation:

 

• 1 Demonstrate support from the local council
  

• 2 Local businesses take action to reduce single-use plastic

• 3 Involve local organisations and community groups

• 4 Hold Plastic Free Events

• 5 Form a steering group for the project

1. Local Council Involvement - Achieved!

We needed Mole Valley District Council to:

• Pass a resolution supporting the Plastic Free Community project
• Lead by example by taking action to reduce and ultimately remove single-use plastic items from their premises
• Support the project by one councillor joining the steering group

SAS have confirmed that the measures that MVDC have taken means we have achieved this objective. MVDC have declared a climate emergency; pledged to reduce the use of single use plastic; and passed the Climate Strategy in October 2020 which includes the support of local communities aiming for plastic-free status. In June 2020 MVDC officially approved two councillors to join our steering group.

2. Local Business Involvement - Started

We need at least six local SME businesses to:

• Remove at least three single-use plastic items or replace them with sustainable alternatives. Any measures that have already been taken count towards the three items.
• Have a plan going forward for tackling any remaining items
• Two local businesses have been awarded a Bronze Business Champion award. If you run a local business and would like to be part of this project, please get in touch.

3. Involve Local Organisations and Groups - Achieved!

   

We needed to get 20 "Community Allies" involved, with a mix of schools, public spaces, organisations, communications and groups. Each ally signed a pledge, committing to remove at least three single-use plastic items (if used) and publicly promote and support the project. 


We signed up our 20th ally in October 2024 but we'd love more organisations to join in! If you help run a local organisation or community group that's based in or covers Bookham and would like to become one of our allies, please get in touch.

4. Hold Plastic Free Community Events - Renewed in 2024

A busy morning's litter picking

We needed to organise two Plastic Free events in a calendar year, which we originally did in 2020. We renewed this in 2024 : we set up a stall in the High Street to promote the 2024 Big Plastic Count in March and held a drop-in morning at the St Nicolas Pastoral Centre in May.

The Bookhams Residents' Association already holds a monthly litter pick which helps clear plastic from our community - though this doesn't count towards our events. You can look after an individual road or area by becoming a Womble! 

We originally held our first event (online) in July 2020 by hosting a screening of The Story of Plastic documentary, followed by an online discussion about the issues raised. A October 2020 fund-raising event counted as our second.

 

5. Form a Steering Group - Achieved for 2020 - 2024

We are required to form a steering group for the project made up of local stakeholders, with the specific requirements that:

• There must be a council representative
• There should also be a local business representative
• Must meet at least twice a year
• Must report progress to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS)
• The group collects evidence to apply for Plastic Free Community accreditation 

SAS have approved this objective for 2020 - 2023. We've formed our initial steering group, met twice in 2020, 2021, 2022 and three times in 2023 and 2024, As mentioned above we're very fortunate to have two council representatives involved.