A COUNCILLOR has claimed more needs to be done to educate people about single use plastics, and encourage them to move away from a "throw away culture."

In 2019 Bradford Council published a review of the use of Single Use Plastics in the District.

It followed a review that involved local businesses, environmental groups and schools, and suggested that the Council aim to be "plastic free" by 2024.

At a meeting of the Council's Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee last month, members were given an update on work to reduce plastic use.

Changes recently introduced include ending the use of plastic cutlery in City Hall and a switch from plastics to biodegradable plates, sandwich packs and wooden forks in the District's Council run schools.

But the Covid 19 Pandemic has meant some measures, such as providing water fountains at major public events, were put on hold due to the risk of the virus spreading.

Another suggestion, that biodegradable bags be used instead of plastic bin bags in Bradford parks, was scrapped after concerns were raised that such bags could actually be worse for the environment.

At the meeting, held in Bradford City Hall's Council Chamber, Councillor David Heseltine (Cons, Bingley) said that members of the public needed to change behaviours as well as organisations like the Council. He said: "It all comes down to educating people about not buying excessive plastic.

"If you do have to use it, try to get easily recyclable plastic. We need to have more conversations about buying less plastic and having less of an impact on the planet.

"You look at shops and you see these cheap Halloween costumes that lead to a throw away culture. We need to educate people about buying things they can re-use rather than things they will just throw into the rubbish."

Councillor Caroline Firth (Lab, Keighley East) is the Council's Single Use Plastics champion. She said: "We do have some fantastic community champions and 'plastic free' groups who go to local schools and businesses and encourage people to reduce the amount of single use plastics they use."

Councillor Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton and Undercliffe) questioned whether the Council could set up water fountains in public places in the District, encouraging people to carry re-fillable bottles rather than buying multiple plastic bottles.

Cllr Firth said a number of Bradford businesses were involved in the Refill scheme. Set up by former Green Party councillor Hawarun Hussain, the scheme sees businesses sign up to allow members of the public to re-fill water bottles at their premises. People can download an app that lets them know where the nearest participating businesses are.

Later in the meeting Cllr Cunningham pointed out: "At the back of this chamber there is a water cooler that uses single use plastics. Maybe we should do better to lead by example when it comes to single use plastics."

Next to the water cooler is a large stack of single use plastic cups.