A CAMPAIGN promoting a plastic free society is being supported - in principle - by Taunton Deane Borough Council’s environmental services.

The council’s executive spokesman for environmental services, Cllr Patrick Berry, has said that he agrees in principle that the country should reduce single-use plastic to an "absolute minimum" and has welcomed an online petition.

“This is an important issue which the council is conscious of,” he said. “We are already using disposable and recyclable paper cups, and I would be keen to address what we can do to replace plastic bottles, plastic drinking straws and plastic bags too.

“If we are going to encourage our service providers, suppliers and local businesses to go ‘single-use plastic free’, we do need to set an example.”

The petition is being promoted by Transition Athelney, Quantock Eco, Taunton Transition Town, Transition Town Wellington and

Wivey Action on Climate & Environment who aim to hand it to the Council for debate at a full meeting in the spring.

It wants the authority to become ‘single-use plastic free’ by phasing out single-use plastic products and the unnecessary use of plastic bags in all council activities, where possible, by April 2019.

The campaigners also want the authority to encourage users of council-owned facilities, local businesses and other public agencies to do the same by championing alternatives such as reusable water bottles, cups, cutlery and bags.

The petition asks for a report to be submitted to the council by October 2018 summarising single-use plastic use by the authority and progress on plans for phasing it out with a further update by April 2019.

Cllr Berry said: “While I agree with the principles of the petition the council may not necessarily be able to subscribe to the requirements for actual dates and report deadlines.

“It is essential that we work within the parameters of current and forthcoming legislation, and liaise with other local authorities who may be working towards similar objectives.”