BRADFORD Council could get rid of all single use plastics from its facilities by April 2020.

Green Party councillors have put forward a motion, to be discussed at a City Hall meeting on Tuesday, that the local authority should eliminate waste plastics such as disposable cups, cutlery and bottles.

Under the plans, the council would end the sale of single use plastic products in its buildings and look at options to make it a condition of food and drink vendors' contracts to avoid these plastics.

Council documents also detail plans to follow Brighton and Hove City Council in signing up to the Plastic Free Pledge.

Cllr Love (Shipley, Green Party) said: “We are asking the council to lead the way on this.

“We are being as open as we possibly can about this and giving plenty of time for people to adjust. We realise some areas will be tied into contracts.

“But in the long run we could end up saving the council money too. We have to pay to dispose of all this and the more we can reduce use, the less the council has to pay.

“The Government proposals are a step in the right direction but it’s remarkably unambitious to aim to eliminate avoidable plastic by 2042. We know things can’t be done overnight but we should be more adventurous.

“I’m hoping for cross party support for the motion."

Prime Minister Theresa May announced plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042, urge supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles and consider taxes on single-use plastics such as takeaway containers. The 5p charge for plastic carrier bags will also be extended to all shops in England, closing a Government loophole excluding smaller shops. A spokesman for Bradford-based Morrisons said: "We have already introduced a number measures to reduce plastic usage and we're looking at others and we are completely open-minded about the government's proposals."

Conservative MP for Shipley Philip Davies said he supports cutting the use of packaging but added that people need alternative options.

He said: “I very much support the ban on microbeads and it is always worth looking at ways to cut the use of packaging in general and plastic in particular. However, people should also be told that alternative forms of packaging are likely to be much more expensive – something which will be passed on to consumers – and lack of packaging on some fresh food may lead to more food waste. There are never any painless panaceas in life and with any proposals people need to be told of the downsides as well as the upside so that people can make an informed decision."

THE owner of the Weaving Shed bar and bistro in Shipley got rid of drinking straws at the start of this year in a bid to cut down on single use plastic.

Erica Hall, originally from Cornwall, said she was inspired by a campaign at a pub she used to work in.

She said: “We were using about 200 straws a week, maybe more. It’s quite scary when you add it up. So we just got rid of them. I’m trying to encourage other people to get rid of plastic straws as well. We have had a fantastic response from residents in the Victoria Mill complex and lots of people are doing the same thing.

“Myself and my staff do feel strongly about it.

“We just want to make a difference.

“Being from Cornwall and seeing the impact it has on beaches also mattered.”

Erica said she thinks the BBC series Blue Planet has inspired people to become more interested in recycling plastics and she is now looking at other ways the bar can reduce waste.

She added: “It’s fantastic news to hear that the council are encouraging people on this.”