A Swansea rugby club has slashed its plastic use and switched to reusable alternatives.
Uplands RFC is the first sports club in Wales to be recognised by Friends of the Earth Cymru for the bold steps they have taken to reduce single-use plastic.
The rugby club has achieved a plastic-free sports club accreditation for replacing plastic straws, cutlery, single-use plastic pint glasses, single-use coffee cups and food packaging with paper, wooden, compostable and reusable alternatives.
Uplands RFC board member Peter Evans said: “We know how important environmental issues are to the youth of today, and with our teams ranging from under 7’s upwards, we wanted to do our bit.
"There is a huge problem with plastic pollution at the moment and we hope we can be the first of many sports clubs to be accredited. The switch to plastic-free has been relatively easy and we would encourage other clubs to do the same.”
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There has been a cost increase to the club, but they expect that to decrease.
Peter Evans, Uplands RFC board member, said: "There has been a cost increase but nothing massive.
"Suppliers are much more switched on and it's easier to get paper straws now than it was years ago.
"I think the cost will reduce over a period of time. The members have noticed the change but their reaction has been positive.
"Around six to eight months ago we decided that we should do something about plastic after reading about it the press and watching programmes on television.
"It took a bit of organising but it's something that you can achieve and maintain and it makes you feel good. It's also good to educate young players," he said.
Friends of the Earth Cymru campaigner Sion Sleep said: “Congratulations to Uplands RFC on becoming the first rugby club in Wales to receive this award.
"It was a pleasure working with them and hopefully the changes they have made will inspire other sports teams across the country to follow suit.”
Stories about our plastics campaign
WalesOnline regularly brings you in-depth interviews and features. Here are some of our best on the same topic:
- I kept every piece of plastic I used in a week and this is what it looked like
- Volunteers who have spent a decade cleaning Cardiff rivers
- How to save money on coffee in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea
- Plastic packaging from a Welsh council was found in Malaysia
- What happens to your recycling after you leave it on the pavement
- Plastic is being turned into a fuel for your car by Swansea scientists
- Two thirds of plastic food containers are unrecyclable
- Plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds to be banned in the UK
- Plastic could be banned from these towns
- Why litter picks are good, but more needs to be done
- Businesses which are already cutting their use of plastic
