Action on Plastic hosted a market event as the latest step towards their ‘plastic-free’ city dream.
The charity hopes the event will encourage people across Sheffield to reduce their use of single-use plastics that greatly contribute to plastic pollution.
Greg Hewitt, 36, the Chairperson of Sheffield Action on Plastic, from Ecclesfield said: “The ultimate aim for the market event is to demonstrate to other event organisers that we can run events that don’t use single-use plastics.”
The environmental charity has worked with businesses and the council to work towards transitioning Sheffield into a plastic-free community.
Mr Hewitt said: “It’s a great deal for me knowing that people want to come along to the event and support local businesses to make an impact on single-use plastics.”
The market will have a variety of sustainable products from independent businesses and workshops, with entertainment and street food.
“What motivates me is knowing that we can put events on and inspire others to have a better environmental and social impact,” said Mr Hewitt.
“We hope that everyone will all want to do more in the future, which is what we hope for moving forward.”
With support from the community and the council, they hope to enforce greater action and influence on businesses and consumers.
He said: “I think it’s the success of the last one that made me want to keep going and put this event on with more markets. We hope that we can make a difference, so hopefully it will be worthwhile.”
The charity is encouraging Sheffield City Council to enforce their plastic-free campaign around the city, by pushing organisations and venues to use reusable materials at events.
Local businesses, including Unwrapped and The Bare Alternative, have taken on a low waste approach by offering sustainable plastic-free options in their locations.
Unwrapped is a sustainable Crookes-based shop known for their low waste food products and household items.
Kirsty Burnet, 42, the Co-Director of Unwrapped, from Walkley said: “ We wanted to be environmentally friendly from the very beginning. It was inspired by the plastic crisis and wanting to be more sustainable and inspire others to do what they can.
“I’d like to see this sort of shopping become the norm, that would be my long term goal. For a lot of things that people buy, there’s an alternative way,” she said.
Unwrapped encourages customers to bring their own refillable containers when shopping to reduce waste.
“I think gradually as a community we can move towards a more environmentally friendly world, we can protect our waterways and our seas from plastic pollution by making good choices,” said Ms Burnet.
Christine King, 67, an environmentalist from Malin Bridge said: “I don’t think we’ve got a choice to not try for a sustainable future.”
Ms King has incorporated several eco-friendly practices into her life, such sustaining an organic allotment, recycling and litter picking.
She said: “I hope that people realise that our survival is also at stake. I don’t have children but I worry about the world that future generations will inherit.”
According to the Sheffield Wire between January and March 2023, less than 30% of household waste was recycled in the city.
To support the charity or find out more about their purpose visit Sheffield Action on Plastic and follow @SheffieldActiononPlastic and Unwrapped Zero Waste Shop, Sheffield on Facebook and @SheffActPlastic on X.