Castlefield Gallery pledges support to a ‘Plastic-Free Greater Manchester’

Castlefield Gallery has this week pledged its support to a ground-breaking campaign for ‘Plastic-Free Greater Manchester’.

The hospitality and tourism industry of Manchester have launched a campaign, backed by Mayor Andy Burnham, to make Greater Manchester the first UK city-region to ditch single-use plastics.

The campaign is set to put Greater Manchester at the forefront of taking action to eliminate single-use plastics. The campaign targets businesses and local people, encouraging them to make the shift away from single-use plastics to renewable alternatives.

Ex-Manchester United player, Gary Neville launched the ground-breaking “Plastic-Free Greater Manchester” campaign at the Green Summit 2018 (on 21 March 2018). As part of this effort, the Mayor will help the campaign to establish a Green City Business Consortium that will bring together Greater Manchester businesses looking to make change from single-use plastics to reusable, recyclable plastics and other alternative materials.

The consortium would be designed to make sure that smaller businesses, which are looking to make the transition from plastic to more sustainable options, are not disadvantaged by cost. By buying in bulk and making the switchover together, businesses can make a speedy, more affordable transition.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “People have been horrified by the images on our televisions showing just how polluted our oceans and rivers have become through plastic waste. But this isn’t just happening on the other side of the world. Last week we heard the difficult news that Greater Manchester’s rivers were some of the most polluted. It’s clear that we cannot just carry on as usual – the time has come for action.”

Local people, businesses, the public and voluntary sector are also being encouraged to get involved and add their plastic-free pledges on the campaign’s website: www.plasticfreegm.com.

For more information about the Green Summit visit: www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/greensummit

A full list of businesses signed to the pledge is as follows: “Greater Manchester’s tourism and hospitality sector will aim to eradicate the use of single use plastics by 2020.  Within the next 6 months, local businesses will set out a plan to achieve this and, as a first step, have begun to replace plastic straws with more sustainable alternatives. This is part of a wider scheme to make our industry more sustainable.”

Holiday Inn Express, Manchester Oxford Road; DoubleTree by Hilton, Piccadilly Manchester; Alston Bar & Beef; National Football Museum; Conference Partners UK; Conference Partners UK; Elizabeth Gaskell’s House; City Centre Cruises; Ziferblat; The Victorian Chop House Company Ltd; Manchester Cathedral; Castlefield Gallery; Eastlands Trust; Lennox Lea Hotel; Chester Zoo; Manchester Conference Central and Pendulum Hotel; Hawksmoor; The Stock Exchange Hotel; Hospitality & Events, The University of Manchester; Junkyard Golf Club; Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester Hotel; The Townhouse Hotel; Randall & Aubin; Eclectic Hotel Collection; Gaucho MCR; The Monastery Manchester; GG Hospitality; Clayton Hotel Manchester Airpor; Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel; Tattu Restaurant & Bar; BSC Manchester; Belle Vue; Hallmark Hotels; The Crystal Maze Live Experience; Real Junk Food Project; Grafene; Lancashire Cricket Club; AC Hotel Manchester; Pinewood Hotel; Lowry Hotel; Event City; Hey Little Cupcake; Princess St Hotel; Manchester Central.