Local London Assembly Member, Leonie Cooper AM, met with AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday to urge the club to drop the use of single-use plastics. Ms Cooper AM is currently launching a local campaign to lobby businesses and sports venues to play their part in clamping down on plastic waste. The Assembly Member highlighted the integral role the club plays in the community, and its potential to inspire a co-ordinated local effort to end the blight of plastic waste.
Ms Cooper AM arranged the meeting with representatives of AFC Wimbledon to discuss the range of measures that the Club can consider to reduce plastic waste, ahead of their move into a new 20,000 capacity stadium on Plough Lane in 2019.
The local Assembly Member proposed a range of environmentally friendly options that can be used for match-day concessions. These included the provision of re-usable plastic glasses in bars, discounts for anyone who brings a refillable cup, clearly marked bins to separate different materials for easy recycling, and bamboo, paper and cardboard to be used by concessionaries, instead of plastic.
In the wake of London being named as having the worst household recycling rates in the UK, with an average of 33%, Ms Cooper AM has launched her campaign to push for more action to be taken in Merton and Wandsworth to eradicate the use of plastic.
The recycling of plastics is a major issue in London, with plastic bottles making up 10% of all litter found on the Thames. Alarmingly, it is estimated that plastic bottles take 450 years to decompose.
Local London Assembly Member, Leonie Cooper AM, said:
“Plastic waste is a hugely pressing issue when it comes to our local environment, and it is clear that we are failing to act quickly or comprehensively enough to tackle it.
“This is why I am launching a campaign to encourage local businesses, venues and residents to take collective action to reduce the use of single-use plastics wherever they can.
“I have been really encouraged by my initial meeting with AFC Wimbledon, who are keen to inspire others in the community and in other local businesses, by being at the forefront of reducing plastic use.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
-London has been named as having the worst household recycling rates in the UK, with an average of 33%;
-According to a study carried out by the Thames21 waterway group, plastic bottles make up 10% of all litter found in the River Thames;
-It is estimated that plastic bottles will take 450 years to decompose;
-A picture of Ms Cooper AM’s meeting with AFC Wimbledon representatives can be found attached;
-Leonie Cooper AM is the London Assembly Member for Wandsworth and Merton.