TAUNTON Deane MP Rebecca Pow has joined Parliamentary colleagues from across the UK in pledging to Give Up Plastic for Lent.

The MPs have each agreed to take part in different challenges to reduce their own use of plastics during the 40 days in the run up to Easter.

Ms Pow has promised to help to reduce the amount of plastic cutlery used across the Parliamentary Estate. Parliament got through about two million completely avoidable plastic products last year, including 398,000 pieces of plastic cutlery, which has prompted the campaign.

The group also intends to be on the lookout for products which it considers are ‘overly packaged’ and will encourage supermarkets and producers to reduce packaging. They will be sharing their experiences on social media using the campaign slogan #GiveUpPlasticForLent.

Not all alternatives to plastics are necessarily more environmentally friendly – the MPs hope that those who take part in the #GiveUpPlasticsForLent challenge they will also be able to increase understanding of the environmental benefits of different consumer choices.

Ms Pow said “I am really pleased to be taking part in this challenge and I hope others in Taunton Deane also consider joining.

“There is real momentum behind making our environment better. The Government has pledged to make this the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it.

“The recent 25-year Environment Plan backed the ambition of eliminating all avoidable plastic waste, including banning the use of microbeads in personal care products and removing single-use plastics from Government estate offices.”

Parliament already plans to recycle 75 per cent of waste by 2020-21 and ensure no waste is sent to landfill.