Plastics ban welcomed Join up to help children

A FISHPONDS campaigner has welcomed a ban on singleuse plastics after years of campaigning on the issue.

Naseem Talukdar founded Projects Against Plastic (PAP) to find ways to reduce singleuse plastic, starting in the hospitality sector, building on his experience of working in takeaways.

A ban on single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks and some other polystyrene cups and food containers will be introduced in England from October.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says around 3.4 billion pieces of single use cutlery and plates are currently used in England every year.

Earlier bans on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds have cut the amount being washed up on beaches.

The government is considering further measures on wet wipes, tobacco filters and sachets, and a deposit return scheme for drinks containers.

Naseem said: "This is a huge step towards the reduction of single-use plastic. Plastic blights our oceans, wildlife and environment and we welcome any action which will helps to reduce its use and protect future generations.

“But the details around plastic substitutes are still not clear and I think it’s important that they find financially viable options."

“We continue to work with the hospitality sector to explore more sustainable options.”

Bristol-based group City to Sea raised a petition of more than 100,000 names calling for action. Policy manager Steve Hynd said the group had also spent years campaigning for a ban, which has come more than two years after the EU implemented one.

He said: "Even if it is playing catch-up, it is also a step in the right direction."

A CHARITY that supports children and their families after burn injuries is looking for people to help its work.

Frenchay After Burns children's club (FAB) is run by volunteers, receiving no government support for its work to help young burn survivors make friends, build confidence through free activities, from days out, parties and pantomimes to international residential camps.

Any child aged under 18 with a burn injury can join and the charity aims to support them "from injury through to adulthood".

FAB relies on fundraising to meet its costs of about £25,000 a year, and as well as volunteers to help on camps, it is looking for people to help raise money. It also needs administrators, event organisers, and online and social media support.

Anyone who would like to find out more is welcome to attend FAB's annual meeting at Christ Church Hall in North Street, Downend, on February 7 at 7.30pm, or visit the charity's Facebook page, website www.fabclub.org.uk, email mail@fabclub.org.uk or call 07821 989845.

• A SCOUT group is looking for leaders to help its members on new adventures.

Camping, rifle shooting, axe throwing, ice skating, paddle boarding, archery, woodwork, hikes and code breaking are just a few of the activities that members of the 78th Scout Group in Downend have undertaken in the last year.

The 78th Kingswood group is one of the oldest in the area, having been founded in 1959. The group's beavers, cubs and scouts meet at Downend Methodist Church on Badminton R0ad every Wednesday.

For more information on the group visit its website at www.78thkingswood.org.uk, which includes links to pages with many of its previous activities, or email 78thkingswood@gmail.com.