The campaign to make Liskeard ‘plastic-free’ has been launched.

Around 100 residents gathered in the Public Hall and voted unanimously in support of the initiative ‘to reduce plastic pollution in the town’.

At the public launch of Plastic Free Liskeard, trader Andrew Beddoe urged other retailers to copy a few simple steps that he has taken in his Fore Street greengrocer’s to reduce single-use plastics, such as wrappers and bags.

Also from the town centre, Sandra Mitchell explained how the Co-op was responding to customer concern to reduce plastic waste in all its stores.

Councillor David Ambler reported on the town council’s policy to eliminate single-use plastics in all its properties by 2020 and to work with local businesses to do the same.

There was a lively debate, chaired by John Hesketh, chair of Liskeard Town Forum, in which members of the audience raised many issues about plastic pollution and the ways to reduce it.

The event was organised and hosted by resident Tristram Besterman, who explained what Plastic Free Liskeard is about.

Liskeard is now signed up with the Plastic Free Coastlines campaign and has joined a dozen or more environmentally responsible Cornish communities, including Polperro and Looe, that are part of the ‘plastic-free’ movement which has single-use plastic in its sights.