Single-use plastics still in use at Oldham Council nearly six years after they voted to ban them
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to Civic Centre bosses demanding answers after the Council appears to have rowed back on its policy to ban the use of single-use plastics.
Councillor Sykes said, “Oldham Council supported a Liberal Democrat motion banning single-use plastics in Council buildings back in March 2018.”
“Nearly six years later I am disappointed to see single-use plastic cups are still available at water coolers in the Civic Centre and other single-use plastics are prevalent inside council buildings.”
On October 1st 2023 a wider ban on single-use plastics came into effect, impacting businesses across the UK. Oldham Council is responsible for enforcing this ban locally through trading standards. But the Liberal Democrats say the Council is “not doing enough to lead by example.”
Councillor Sykes said, “How can we hope to encourage businesses in Oldham to do their bit for the environment by cutting out single-use plastics, if the Council can’t even get this right in its own buildings? Just another case of not getting the basics right.”
“I’ve written to the Leader of the Council urging her administration to take serious action to make this ban a reality.”
NOTES:
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council
Harry Catherall, Chief Executive of Oldham Council
Dear Councillor Shah and Mr Catherall,
Single use plastics
I am writing to you in relation to the council’s use of single-use plastics.
As you will be aware, Oldham Council supported a Liberal Democrat motion banning single-use plastics in council buildings back in March 2018.
Nearly six years later I am disappointed to see single-use plastic cups are still available at water coolers in the Civic Centre and other single-use plastics are prevalent inside council buildings. I understand the need to use up stocks but six years on that is not the case their use has not stopped.
You will also be aware that more recently on October 1st 2023, a wider ban on single-use plastics came into effect, impacting businesses across the UK. Oldham Council is responsible for enforcing this ban through trading standards, yet we are clearly not doing enough to lead by example.
Please can you therefore provide an update on what the council is doing to take this important ban seriously and ensure that we are doing our part for the environment by truly cutting out reliance of single-use plastics.
I look forward to your response.
Best wishes.
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE
Liberal Democrat motion on single-use plastics passed by Oldham Council (Mar 2018)
Liberal Democrats call for Oldham to become a Plastic-Free Borough – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)