BUSINESSES in Mold are getting on board with plastic reduction.

From small independent companies in the town such as the Good Health Emporium to high street store WHSmith, several have demonstrated they appreciate the vital role they can play in making important changes to the amount of plastic used.

Jenny Thomas, from Mold Plastic Reduction Steering Committee, said: “Mold Plastic Reduction group are working to achieve accreditation as a Plastic Free Community, a campaign which is run by Surfers Against Sewage.

"More than 600 communities across the UK are working on ‘plastic free’ status which aims to get businesses, schools, community groups and the local council to reduce single-use plastics.

“It’s great to see so many businesses already making changes to reduce their plastic use and we are hoping to get as many as possible to support the transition away from single-use plastics. "We realise that reducing plastic isn’t always easy, but we hope that we can create a network of business across town to support each other on their plastic reduction journey.

“To get involved businesses need to identify items of single-use plastics used, make three changes to reduce it and identify what further action they can take in the future.

"Items which businesses may be able to take action on include plastic cutlery, disposable coffee cups, condiment sachets, plastic or polystyrene takeaway containers and plastic bags.

“Some businesses that have already made changes include Clickery Finance and Celtic Financial Planning who are purchasing their milk in glass bottles instead of plastic and are providing water at client meetings in glasses rather than plastic water bottles.

"Artisan producers Angel Feathers fruit infused spirits and black mountain honey have changed their labels and product seals to non-plastic alternatives, have sourced suppliers which use less plastic packaging and make sure their tasting events are plastic free.”

Derek Blanchard of Hafod Brewing Company said: “Hafod is a family brewing firm in Mold, which has gone from strength-to-strength since my son Phillip started up in 2011.

"We looked for non-plastic beer glasses to use at festivals and in 2018 switched to a plant starch glass which is made in Germany.

"We changed because it seemed a terrible waste using plastic for disposable beer glasses.

"Plant starch glasses are really in demand now and we’re having to wait for our next delivery.”

Karen Norton of the Good Health Emporium said: “Our ethos is to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

"We support plastic reduction and stock a range of both beauty and cleaning products that customers can bring their own containers to have refilled.

"That includes both cost effective options and well known brands such as Faith in Nature and Ecover.”

Ian Andrews of WHSmith in Mold said: “We’re taking steps to reduce the amount of single use plastic on products and are working with suppliers such as Woodmansterne.

"They’ve got rid of plastic wrappers on their greeting cards and are using a smart seal which keeps cards and envelopes locked together by an easy peel-off label to be removed after purchase.”

Anyone who would like to get involved or would like to find out more or get a copy of the plastic reduction ‘Business Toolkit’ can email plasticrollback@outlook.com, look at Plastic Reduction Mold - Lleihau Plastig Yr Wyddgrug on Facebook or phone Mold Town Council on 01352 758532.