A NEW initiative is aiming to make an Anglesey Town a plastic-free zone.

Funded by Arloesi Môn, the project has seen local businesses in Beaumaris get together to get rid of single use plastics, and do their bit to protect the local environment.

With an estimated 7.7 billion plastic water bottles used everyday and increased awareness for the damage plastics cause to marine life, a group of local volunteers was keen to take action.

Four Beaumaris businesses have already signed-up – Mercado; Jackfruit; Canolfan Hamdden Beaumaris; and Happy Valley Café.

And with Anglesey as a whole already awarded ‘plastic free community status’ – the first county in Wales to do so, it is hoped the initiative in Beaumaris will reinforce this status, as well as send out a clear message for people to refill and reuse.

Gwen Evans Jones, chair of the local action group said: “We’re all now more aware of the damage plastic can cause, it is a huge concern. We were keen to make a difference here in Beaumaris, and it’s up to us to change things and help make the world a better place for future generations. I hope our work in our town will encourage other communities across the island to take up the challenge and join us.”

Following the launch, businesses will be assessed for their use of plastic and advised on what steps they can take to reduce this.

A training session will also be held which will be open to the public – with suggestions on how to reduce single use plastic and what the alternatives are.

To sign-up or take part in the initiative, businesses and individuals are encouraged to contact the group via their Facebook page (Beaumaris Di-blastig – Plasticfree) or to get in touch with Arloesi Môn at Menter Môn.