National Park targets plastics waste and litter

Above: Peak District National Park Marketing Communications Manager Tom Marshall, with the #MyPeakCup, in the heart of the National Park.

UN World Environment Day asks world to beat ‘plastic pollution’

The Peak District National Park is to tackle the issue of single-use plastics litter head-on with a new eco-friendly re-usable coffee cup – the first UK National Park to produce a dedicated alternative to disposable hot drinks cups.

The campaign is being launched as UN World Environment Day (Tuesday 5 June) asks the world to consider its use of plastics with a ‘beat plastic pollution’ message.

The UK’s original National Park receives around 10 million visitors a year, and plays host to more than 100 cafes and similar outlets within the National Park boundary.

The Peak District National Park now aims to play a part in reducing the seven million disposable cups used each day across the country – of which less than 1% are recycled and more than half a million end up as litter.

A new campaign ‘#MyPeakCup’ will see an environmentally-friendly reusable coffee cup on sale at National Park visitor centres and cycle hire outlets.

Through the campaign, those using the cup will benefit from a reduction in the cost of their hot drink with local businesses who are being encouraged to support the scheme, by honouring the discount programme.

It’s hoped by raising awareness of the issue of single use plastics, visitors will move to using reusable cups during their visit. Sales of the cups will also go back to supporting work on the ground to care for and protect the Peak District National Park.

Sarah Fowler, chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority said: “The huge sense of public feeling on this issue and how it affects our wildlife and environment was something we could not ignore here in the Peak District.

“Having led the way as the UK’s first ever National Park, we want to take the same pioneering approach with how to tackle litter and the environmental impact of take away coffee cups.

“For us it isn’t just simply creating a re-usable cup, but we are determined to ensure the product ticks all the boxes as an environmentally sensitive solution, from purchase to when it finally becomes recycled itself.

“To anyone who loves and cherishes the Peak District, I hope this will be an easy addition to their visit, along with supporting our many local, independent café retailers.”

The Peak District National Park have worked with leading reusable coffee cup producer Ecoffee cup, with the resulting item one of the most eco-friendly options available on the market today.

Made from sustainably grown, naturally sterile bamboo, the entire cup including the lid and heat band can be recycled at the end of its lifespan, saving the use of hundreds of plastic-lined single-use cups over several years.

The cup is available from National Park visitor centres at Edale, Castleton, Bakewell and Upper Derwent Valley along with National Park cycle hire centres and online at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/shop