See resources emailed after watching the film The Story of Plastic (July 2020)

  1. Useful links
  2. Post Plastic Free July meeting links.
  3. Zoom Chat attached as a Word document.

1. Links

 2. After Plastic Free July online meeting

All Welcome – share chat/tips on Plastic Free July

 SSA Open Meeting – #PlasticFreeJuly feedback
Time: Jul 30, 2020 19:30 London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81720684897?pwd=UlFpRHpVcGF2ckh2VE05a3JPeStBUT09

Meeting ID: 817 2068 4897
Password: 462197

3. Post -film Zoom Chat

Story of Plastic – Sustainable St Albans screening 1st July 2020

Zoom Chat

20:33:56 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Hi everyone!
20:35:21 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Great to see you all!
20:35:45 From  Gail Jackson : For your reference it’s worth having a look at this https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/about/
20:43:47 From  Gail Jackson : Jen Gale’s blog is here – also her book! The Guide to Sustainable’ish Living https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/
20:45:14 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Thanks Gail!
20:46:25 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Has anyone asked St. Albans council what happens to your plastic recycling?
20:46:45 From  Matt Fisher : no but I will be!!
20:47:24 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Well done Matt! If everyone here tonight e-mailed them, that would send a really clear message that this is something they need to be really transparent about
20:47:31 From  Clare Henry  to  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans(Privately) : You are very quiet Catherine, Jack
20:49:15 From  Johanna Sopher-Torres : and determined to change my habits!
20:49:44 From  Matt Fisher : I will ask a few groups to do the same!
20:50:12 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : This is the guide to where our local waste goes: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/recycling-waste-and-environment/recycling-and-waste/wasteaware-campaigns/what-happens-to-your-recycling.aspx#:~:text=Non%2Drecyclable%20waste%20collected%20from,in%20neighbouring%20counties%20and%20London.
20:50:49 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Matt – yes, and council leader, Chris White says that St.Albans kerbside plastic goes to a recycling facility in Kent. That is not the same for the whole of Hertfordshire
20:51:47 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : “Non-recyclable waste collected from households in Hertfordshire is delivered either directly to landfill sites or taken to a waste transfer station near Watford. From there, residual waste is largely directed to a number of energy from waste facilities in neighbouring counties and London.”
20:52:29 From  Matt Fisher : thanks Amanda
20:52:44 From  Gail Jackson : So our plastics are going to an incinerator? toxic, poisonous incinerator?
20:53:29 From  Gail Jackson : I think we should be asking St Albans Council – they want people to contact them through the St Albans website now https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/rubbish-collections
20:53:31 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : I think Catherine is saying that non-recyclable waste is incinerated, rather than that from kerbside recycing
20:54:34 From  Gail Jackson : If it goes to a recycling facility in Kent – what happens then? We know from the film that only 2% of plastics are effectively recycled..
20:55:18 From  Clare Henry  to  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans(Privately) : still very quiet, Catherine
20:55:59 From  Gail Jackson : is anyone from Greenpeace here tonight?
20:56:19 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : There was a campaign to return crisp packets back to Walkers and I think they then funded a Terracycle campaign off the back of it
20:56:50 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : City to Sea are running a great “contactless coffee’ campaign
20:57:40 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : https://www.citytosea.org.uk/contactless-coffee/
20:58:08 From  Matt Fisher : I run a teracycle scheme run now from Tesco Hatfield (previously Sainsburys London Colney), its saved 1million tassimo coffee pods from landfill etc. and £10k for a charity
20:58:24 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Their suggestion is that you contact local independent cafes on social media to ask them if they’ll be allowing reusables and to point them to the video
20:58:46 From  Matt Fisher : I myself have stopped using the pods because recycling isn’t enough – the film clearly shoe this very important point
20:58:51 From  Gail Jackson : I think it appears that we have a choice, but do we? I buy stuff as much as possible where i can without plastics – from powdered detergent (made with oil)to rice and pasta from the Refill Shop or Eat Wholefoods, but i still collect an awful lot of plastics in the household! I think it s a con to argue its our responsibility. The oil/gas companies have such a vested interest in us using the stuff!
20:58:55 From  Matt Fisher : *shows
20:58:58 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : If you’re doing Plastic Free July it’s a great ‘excuse’ to share the actions you’re taking on your social media feeds!
21:00:12 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Friends of the Earth is asking our Government to take steps to end plastic pollution. You can sign it here
21:00:18 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : This is being trialled at the moment
21:00:27 From  Christine Watson : How do you exactly share your views and actions etc over the PFJuly etc with people who don’t care
21:00:57 From  Christine Watson : We are listening.  They are not
21:01:07 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : If you share on social media Christine, it allows those who aren’t interested to scroll on by, but you never know the seeds you plant!
21:01:14 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Also show, don’t tell!
21:01:21 From  Matt Fisher : Terracycle are trying to launch ‘Loop’- the old idea of milk bottles – huge logistics however…
21:01:24 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : The petition is here https://act.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/help-reduce-plastic-oceans
21:02:36 From  Johanna Sopher-Torres : I think legislated ecolabelling on products (similar to how fat sugar and salt are labelled on food) could significantly influence consumer behaviour
21:07:12 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : It’s important that people don’t feel attacked. Plastic Free July is a really nice ‘in’ to say “Wow I found out this week (insert shocking statistic) and it’s made me really determined to do a bit more
21:07:27 From  Gail Jackson : What is the most important thing that an individual can do to make a difference?
21:08:01 From  Matt Fisher : couldn’t agree more Catherine – persuader motivators!
21:08:20 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : The nice thing about reducing plastic use is that there are so many small steps that we can all take, one at a time
21:09:39 From  Caroline Wallis : What can I do as an individual to help stop the supply of plastic?
21:10:22 From  Samantha : How do we persuade people that our individual actions and choices make an impact? A lot of my friends seem to think this is something that can only be tackled at a government level, and don’t understand why I try to be plastic free because ‘one person can’t make a difference’
21:11:12 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : Sustainable St Albans are doing weekly “How to…” guides right through July.  Find the first one here, on a Plastic Free Kitchen: https://sustainablestalbans.org/blog/
21:11:26 From  Gail Jackson : i agree about it being our responsibility…but wonder if your earlier point, Jen, about writing to the local authority – if lots of people did this – then we put the pressure on the people who can make  a larger difference that could actually have an impact e.g. stopping plastic in our local market ! (council responsibility)
21:12:07 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Samantha – imagine if 8 billion people believed that they could make adifference!
21:12:40 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Remember the power of your money, and the power of your voice!
21:12:48 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Agree – Jen. We are all a small part of the problem, and we can all be a small part of the solution.
21:13:28 From  Samantha : I agree Jen!! I’ll never stop doing my bit, and trying to show others the simple changes they can make!
21:13:59 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : In 2017 there was a study that said that MPs weren’t taking action on the climate crisis because they weren’t hearing from their constituents that it was an issue
21:17:12 From  Gail Jackson : This is what Herts say about waste materials that cant be recycled -Where does my general waste go once you collect it from the kerbside?

Non-recyclable waste collected from households in Hertfordshire is delivered either directly to landfill sites or taken to a waste transfer station near Watford. From there, residual waste is largely directed to a number of energy from waste facilities in neighbouring counties and London. The use of such facilities allows both energy to be recovered from residual waste, which contributes towards the UK’s power needs and minimises the use of landfill.
21:18:23 From  Johanna Sopher-Torres : do you think if products were all labelled in terms of sustainability that it would affect people’s choices?
21:18:32 From  Gail Jackson : Email Coca-Cola here consumer.relations@coca-cola.com
21:19:05 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : And tell your friends you watched the film – pull out a couple of key stats and any lightbulb moments.
21:19:25 From  Gail Jackson : or tweet them @CocaCola
21:19:26 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : You’re then not seen as judging them, merely having a kind of ‘water cooler moment’
21:19:58 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : Write to our MPs and tell them we are fully behind the Environment Bill, and why: https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/environment-bill-passes-first-parliamentary-stage/
21:20:18 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : https://www.everydayplastic.org/
21:20:30 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Lobbying around a particular bill is a really powerful thing to do. Ask your MP if they’re going to support the bill
21:21:10 From  Christine Watson : Yes they’d buy them if they can afford it
21:22:12 From  Diane ketcher : Writing comments on a manufacturers Facebook page gets results quite quickly. I did that to PUKKA teabags.
21:22:15 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : I have emailed Daisy Cooper a number of times about this but she hasn’t got back to me. I even asked for a reply so I could report back this evening
21:22:41 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : The concept of producer pays is a really good one
21:23:39 From  Gail Jackson : Diane – thats and excellent idea!
21:23:44 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : We’ve seen how quickly smaller businesses can adapt during coronavirus
21:24:13 From  Giovanni : Plastics are produced from natural gas, feedstocks derived from natural gas processing, and feedstocks derived from crude oil refining. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers that produce the basic building blocks for making plastics. With this said, do you think there is a possibility that reducing the use of gasoline(especially in the automobile area) will reduce the plastic production?
21:24:28 From  Matt Fisher : its a double win as the large corps lose a client and the local business / shops gain a loyal customer
21:24:33 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : Some great small companies in our district: Eat Whole Foods, Carpenters, Refill Pantry, Box Local, …..
21:24:53 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : And WUKA for period wear.
21:26:29 From  Gail Jackson : I’ve been asking the fish stall man (before Covid) at the market for months…he says he’d like to change, but doesnt believe that people will be happy – as people get so used to plastic as a ‘clean’ ‘hygienic’ approach to food goods
21:26:46 From  Caroline Wallis : The film showed Waitrose selling common items without packaging. Does anyone know if they intend to roll this out across their stores? Or if other supermarkets are considering this?
21:26:55 From  Christine Watson : Givanni I think that as use of fossil fuels used for transport reduces the manufacturers will just push more plastic at us
21:27:12 From  Caroline Penn : I thought the film implied that there would be a move to increase the plastics market?
21:27:17 From  Samantha : Christine, that’s my concern too
21:27:35 From  Gail Jackson : No, going over to renewables will put a push to oil companies – they will want to make money in any way out of their immense oil stocks!
21:28:26 From  Christine Watson : Plant based plastic is still plastic?
21:28:33 From  Gail Jackson : Waitrose tried it out in Oxford..but I’ve never heard any more about it…
21:29:01 From  Gail Jackson : Cellulose (its what eat whole foods use locally) is not made from oil or gas  – it comes from plants
21:30:10 From  Gail Jackson : Oh! does that mean cellulose doesnt break down?
21:30:12 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : Waitrose trialled in four pilot stores, still gathering feedback: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/featured/groceries/unpacked
21:30:53 From  Gail Jackson : We need to tell Eat Wholefoods that about cellulose – i didnt realise..
21:31:33 From  Gail Jackson : Can someone keep the chat so we can email it out to the list?
21:31:44 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : I think Cellulose can be home composted Gail
21:31:57 From  Johanna Sopher-Torres : can you email the chat?
21:32:14 From  Gail Jackson : I’ll email out the chat to everyone after – probably tomorrow!
21:33:10 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Cellophane, which I think Eat Wholefoods use, is apparently biodegradeable
21:33:40 From  Diane ketcher : i think lobbying big name plastic producers is a key step.
21:34:22 From  Christine Watson : How can I get the film to show to my group?  By zoom
21:34:38 From  Diane ketcher : Join Surfers Against Sewage and make your community plastic aware.
21:35:05 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : Christine: https://www.storyofplastic.org/watch
21:35:14 From  Gail Jackson : Dont forget to sign up for the Plastic Free July Challenge https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
21:35:23 From  Christine Watson : I am doing that but not through SAS.  I just want to send out the film
21:35:29 From  JeannieQueen : I’m going to advocate for Zero Waste NYC which has been defunded for the rest of the year due to Covd-19 and build my business focused on affordable and sustainable eating.
21:36:17 From  Christine Watson : I like Jen’s idea of dealing one room or something at a time for my group
21:36:33 From  Christine Watson : Over July
21:36:45 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Each one of our individual actions can be amplified simply by sharing them
21:37:09 From  Gail Jackson : Tag #breakfreefromplastic and #plasticfreejuly
21:37:21 From  Matt Fisher  to  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans(Privately) : Hi Catherine would love to get involved with you guys – would be good to chat when you’re able to – my mobile is 07595893264
21:37:34 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Go on social media tonight, say that you’ve watched this film and share the ONE action you’re going to take 🙂
21:37:45 From  JeannieQueen : Great to learn from St Albans, thank you!
21:37:48 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Looking forward to sharing all your #PlasticFreeJuly changes
21:37:55 From  Chris’s ipad pro : Many thanks- v interesting!
21:38:06 From  Catherine, Sustainable St Albans : Topic: SSA Open Meeting – #PlasticFreeJuly feedback
Time: Jul 30, 2020 19:30 London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81720684897?pwd=UlFpRHpVcGF2ckh2VE05a3JPeStBUT09
21:38:08 From  Giovanni : Thanks!
21:38:11 From  Amanda St.Albans Friends of the Earth : Great to see you all this evening 🙂
21:38:33 From  Jen Gale, Sustainable(ish) : Thank you all for inviting me – so great to see so much local community action!
21:38:47 From  Gail Jackson : I’ll be sending feedback to the film makers too! Thanks everyone. Thats the 2nd time we showed the film so reached around 200 people!
21:38:58 From  Gail Jackson : thanks Jen!
21:39:06 From  Matt Fisher : many thanks – was great

END