Single-use plastics (SUPs)
We've committed to stop using avoidable single-use plastics in our buildings and services. We want to help other organisations in Manchester to take action too. So, we’re sharing our work and useful tools we've used.
Single-use plastics are plastic items that are only used once. Such as:
- takeaway drink cups and lids
- drink bottles
- cutlery
- bin bags
- plastic straws
- packaging
Some single-use plastics are unavoidable. Such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). But we’re talking about avoidable single-use plastics. They're non-essential and not reusable.
What we’re doing
We created an action plan and identified the changes we needed to make. We’ve made a lot of progress by:
- checking what we buy
- asking our business partners to use alternatives (and making it part of our contracts)
- raising awareness of ways to reduce use with our residents, partners and colleagues
We’ve greatly reduced the single-use plastic that we and our contractors use. But there’s still more to do. Our climate change action plan for 2025 to 2030 will ensure we keep going and continue to remove more.
Manchester is a Refill Destination. Businesses and organisations across the city are signing up as refill sites. The option to refill containers will make a huge impact on plastic waste. As well as benefiting people living in and visiting our city.
What you can do
UK law changed in 2023. More single-use plastic items are now banned. Check you know what they are at www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-plastics-bans-and-restrictions.
In Manchester, we want to go further. We want to stop using avoidable single-use plastics in the city. Find out more about ways to switch from the #PlasticFreeGM campaign.
Register as a Refill site at www.refill.org.uk/add-refill-station. And download the Refill app to find places to refill.
Find more on reducing plastic waste at www.gmgreencity.com/plastic-free-GM.
If you run or host events in Manchester, use our free guides to becoming more sustainable.