FOI request (FOIR-115665029)

Office hydration and single use plastic schemes

Requested Thu 25 April 2019
Responded  Tue 21 May 2019

I am writing to politely request the following information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):

Does the Council have a specific policy relating to single-use plastic usage at premises owned or leased out to 3rd parties? If so, please provide further details.

Does the Council have a specific policy relating to single-use plastic usage among Council staff and elected officials? If so, please provide further details.

Is the Council engaged with any local initiatives to reduce single-use plastic? If so, please provide further details.

Does the Council currently provide ample refill water stations for use by staff and visitors at premises owned or leased out to 3rd parties? If so, please provide further details.

Response

Hastings Borough Council does not have a Single Use Plastic (SUP) policy for premises owned or leased out to 3rd parties. During 2019, the Council will be developing a SUP policy for staff and councillors, and reviewing the use of SUP at its office.

The Council has engaged with a number of local initiatives to reduce SUPs including Hastings Refill Project, local beach cleans and community clean up days and the trial of reusable cups at local events.

The Council provides drinking water for staff and Councillors in all of the kitchen areas. The use of disposable cups ceased last year and glasses and cups are now provided for all meetings - tea, coffee and sugar is provided in refillable glass jars.