Dawlish Against Plastic was formed in March 2018. Since then, our achievements have been:

• Dawlish Town Council agreed unanimously to support Plastic Free Coastlines (since re-named Plastic Free Communities).

• Organised monthly beach cleans in Dawlish.

• Plastic Straws removed, or pledged to be removed, from over 40 local businesses.

• Presentations to local schools and engagement with school 'eco groups'. Competition held to design a logo for Dawlish Against Plastic.

• Facebook group, Dawlishagainstplastic, established with over 430 plus members.

• Facebook Page Dawlish Against Plastic

• Instagram account Dawlish Against Plastic

• Promoting Devon Refill scheme and other ways of reducing single use plastic to local businesses.

• Receiving Community Grant funding from Teignbridge Councillors for beach cleaning equipment, publicity and alternatives to plastic for display/sale to the public.

• Participated in community events and ran fundraising events for Surfers Against Sewage.

• We produced an audio-visual presentation of our progress so far.

• Made contact with the Environment Agency’s newly formed ‘Plastics Team’ and helped organise an event to link up with other, similar, groups in Devon. Event held on 3^rd Sept 2018.

• Successfully applied to Keep Britain Tidy for 50 free stainless-steel drinks bottles for display/sale on our stalls.

• Successfully applied for Plastic Free Community status for Dawlish from Surfers Against Sewage. Evidence included steps taken by local businesses to remove certain single-use plastic items from sale or use and our work in conjunction with other community groups.

Between April 2019 and March 2020, Dawlish Against Plastic has:

• Undertaken 13 Beach cleans involving over 200 participants. Removed over 270kg of rubbish, including broken glass, sharps, rusty metal and a kitchen knife.

• Also assisted 2 schools and a group from Exeter College with beach cleans.

• Involved 2 university students who are using our beach cleans as part of their research.

• Met with Sainsbury’s managers after their staff had voted to support us as part of their community involvement. Staff attended beach cleans and the local store collected money for us.

• Enabled 2 more businesses to be recognised as Plastic Free Champions by Surfers Against Sewage, making the total 11. This is since gaining Plastic Free Community Status in Feb 2019.

• Provided information to businesses about bioplastic ‘compostable’ products.

• Manned a stall with easy swap ideas and plastic-free alternatives for sale, at 5 local events and 3 schools. Bought display boards to help promote our message.

• Gratefully received a non-plastic banner, hand made by a member of Dawlish WI.

• Worked with Dawlish Community College and Gatehouse school to create a train made from recycled materials.

• Participated, with the train, in Dawlish Carnival and the Lantern Parades in Teignmouth and Dawlish.

• Given presentations to other ‘Plastic-free’ groups in Teignbridge and the Dawlish Water Rotary Club.

• Joined Community Action Groups (CAG) Devon, an excellent support agency for community groups such as ours.

• Held a second fund raising event for Surfers Against Sewage (SAS)

• Helped SAS develop their Phase 2 Plastic Free Community initiative by attendance at a weekend conference.

• Written 6 articles for the Dawlish Gazette, developed our social media presence on Facebook and Instagram and published a website - https://www.dawlishagainstplastic.org.uk/

• Produced a guide to environmentally ethical festivals in conjunction with Teignbridge District Council.

• Inspired an art competition about the environment at Dawlish College, addressed the audience and awarded prizes at an arts evening.

• Obtained signed copies of 3 environmentally themed books by Ellie Jackson for sale and promotion on our stall.

• Contributed ideas both at meetings and through written submissions to Dawlish Town Council’s Climate Emergency Working Group.

• Produced an action plan for our activities for the period April 2019 – Mar 2020.

Steering Group Members:

Vanessa Ryley (Chairman), Brenda Toye (Treasurer), Dave Hutton (Secretary), Martin Wrigley (Dawlish Town & Teignbridge Councillor), Lin Goodman-Bradbury (Dawlish Town Councillor), Vicky Bridle and Suzanne Jones.

Our Constitution

Useful Resources