Plastic Free North devon supporters

We’re proud to work with Plastic Free North Devon on their Holiday Project.
Everyone has a part to play in the battle against plastic pollution.

North Devon is very proud to be recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. At Byron we want to protect our environment as well as welcoming visitors to this beautiful area. The UNESCO biosphere celebrates life by recognising the connections between people and nature.

Byron supports Plastic Free North Devon and with over 6 million visitors a year to the area, we are very conscious of the effect of plastic pollution on the environment.

Each year 100,000 marine mammals and millions of birds and fish are killed by plastic debris in the oceans and that is why being a coastal destination we must be mindful of this statistic.

We can all do something however small to reduce the impact of plastic pollution – Reduce what you buy, re-use what you can and re cycle where possible.

Here’s just a handful of things you can do to help reduce your plastic usage:

Plastic is everywhere – from the coffee shop to the football pitch. So before you head out, make sure you are reusable-ready! You might want to consider keeping some the following in your bag or car:

A reusable coffee cup
A stainless steel or glass water bottle
A flask
Bamboo cutlery
Reusable Tupperware
Cloth or canvas produce and shopping bags
A bamboo or stainless steel reusable straw

SHOPPING

Be aware of packaging – try to buy unwrapped fruit, veg and bread where possible. If a supermarket gives you mountains of excess packaging you can always send it back to their freepost address with a note explaining why.
Consider bulk buying – where you can’t do plastic free, it is still possible to get more product for the amount of plastic if you buy in bulk.
Buy from local producers – local produce is less likely to have travelled long distances and be wrapped in plastic.
Take your own containers – whether you’re shopping at the local market or in a supermarket, take your own containers to the butchers, deli, or fishmongers.
Instead of buying bread, biscuits and cakes, why not make your own and reduce unnecessary plastic wrap!

EATING OUT

When you have a drink, politely ask for no straw or stirrer. If you’re offered one, perhaps you could suggest that they use other options.
When you have that ice-cream on a hot summer’s day, ask for a cone instead of a plastic lined tub. And request a wooden spoon instead of a plastic one.
Instead of having a take-away coffee, why not take 5 minutes, take a seat and drink out of a china cup? Most take-away coffee cups are not recyclable. Even the compostable cup is not all it’s made out to be – whilst it has a more eco-friendly start in life (made from potato starch instead of fossil fuel-based products), it can contaminate in recycling. In the UK there are very few industrial composting facilities, so your compostable cup is unlikely to make it there. However, DO recycle the plastic lid!
Love pizza? Try to buy pizzas that don’t use plastic or Styrofoam trays or boxes which contain a plastic ‘tables’ in the centre of the box.

BEACH & RIVER CLEANS

Everyone is welcome to join our beach cleans and river cleans, but you don’t have to wait for an organised event, just head out with friends or family, or on your own, and see how much litter you can collect from the shoreline, riverside, and parks. Don’t forget to recycle anything you find when you get home!

SPREAD THE WORD

Share your knowledge and tips with your friends, family and colleagues to encourage them to reduce their ‘plastic footprint’.
Follow and support organisations such as Plastic Free North Devon on Social Media
Contact your local MP
Why not watch ‘A Plastic Ocean’ (available on Netflix) with friends for a deeper understanding of the plastic problem

what we’re doing at byron!

beach clean while you’re out and about

Byron Woolacombe Holiday Let’s have invested in re-tasked litter pickers from Waterhaul. Our Retask the Mask litter pickers are made in the UK, with the plastic components made from 100% recycled PPE sourced from the NHS in a plight to reduce waste products.

Want to get involved? These litter pickers are available to sign out from the facilities reception between 9-5pm every day!

You can join one of the many beach or park cleans that are regularly held. You will get a warm glow from clearing up the planet and a bit of exercise too!

PLASTIC FREE LOCAL HAMPERS

At Byron, we believe in encouraging positive environmental behaviour change and directly helping to reduce plastic waste on our beaches by leading by example, that’s why everything that we deliver to you is sourced as locally as possible and with the environment in mind always.

All our hampers are made either in Woolacombe itself or within the surrounding areas. Even our wines are sourced within Devon, yes Devon has some delicious grape varieties!

We only work with plastic-free hamper partners and all of our partners have their own methods of reducing their own environmental footprint.

Many local businesses are committed to becoming single-use plastic free, so look out for this logo when you’re out and about and spend your money there to show your support!

Keen to learn more? Click here to find out more simple things you can do to help.
Be a part of protecting our playground for future generations to enjoy. Thanks for joining our community while you visit our magical corner of the world.