Charity urges beach events to cut plastic waste

A charity working to reduce plastic waste has urged seaside event organisers to do more to reduce single-use plastics and improve recycling.

Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project criticised some events held in Weymouth for using disposable cups or not providing recycling bins.

The charity has worked with Weymouth Town Council to provide guidance for event organisers and says it is "frustrating" to see disposable plastics being used and recyclables going into general waste, much of which is incinerated.

The town council, which manages the seafront land, says organisers are asked how they will manage waste, recycling and reduce single-use plastics as part of their events application.

The marine litter project runs beach cleans and other schemes aimed at reducing marine litter and increasing recycling.

Co-founder Dave Taylor said there was "more to making an event sustainable and green than just picking up litter".

"Single use plastic glasses from events in Weymouth, even if 100% are collected, will be incinerated," he said.

"After spending a year working with the council on a green policy for events, we hoped this year things would improve."

Taylor said last year's National Lifesaving Championships had set an example by providing recycling bins, reusable glasses and a water refill point.

Weymouth Volleyball Club, which hosted a beach tournament on 27 June, said it was "disappointed" to be included in the charity's criticism after leaving the beach "spotless".

Responding on social media, it said: "We took over 30 sacks of rubbish away during the event.

"Regarding the plastic one-use glasses, we do not run the bar but would be happy to talk with you before next year to come up with solutions to this."

Organisers of Weymouth Beach Rugby Festival on 10-12 July said they switched to disposable cups after running out of reusable ones.

Event co-ordinator Dani Oliffe said: "We had recycling bins in place throughout the weekend, and the site was left completely litter-free.

"We did move to disposable cups partway through the event.

"We're already looking at ordering a larger stock of reusable cups for next year to ensure this doesn't happen again."

Weymouth Seafood Festival, which was held on Dorset Council land on 4-5 July, said it worked closely with the authority to "ensure a greener event".

It confirmed all its rubbish went into "general waste" but it was sent to a treatment facility to "recover as much value as possible", before the remainder was sent for incineration to generate energy.

Weymouth Town Council said: "Our officers monitor events to make sure they are being run in line with the plans and information that organisers have provided.

"If any issues are found, these are raised with the organiser and dealt with at the time, however this may be after the event if we are not notified or there to see."