Taunton Deane MP, Rebecca Pow has joined Conservative colleagues from across the UK in pledging to Give Up Plastic for Lent. The parliamentarians have each agreed to take part in different challenges to reduce their own use of plastics during the 40 days in the run up to Easter.

Rebecca Pow has promised to help to reduce the amount of plastic cutlery used across the Parliamentary Estate. Last year, Parliament got through some 2 million completely avoidable plastic products last year, including 398,000 pieces of plastic cutlery, which has prompted the campaign.

The group also intend to be on the lookout for products which they consider are “overly packaged” and will encourage supermarkets and producers to reduce packaging. They will be sharing their experiences using social media using the campaign slogan #GiveUpPlasticForLent.

Not all alternatives to plastics are necessarily more environmentally friendly, the MPs hope that those who take part in the #GiveUpPlasticsForLent challenge they will also be able to increase understanding of the environmental benefits of different consumer choices.

Commenting, Rebecca Pow said “I am really pleased to be taking part in this challenge, and I hope others in Taunton Deane also consider joining.

There is real momentum behind making our environment better. The government has pledged to make this the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it. The recent 25-year Environment Plan backed the ambition of eliminating all avoidable plastic waste, including banning the use of microbeads in personal care products and removing single-use plastics from Government estate offices.

Parliament already plans to recycle 75% of waste by 2020/21 and ensure no waste is sent to landfill. Let’s put our money where our mouth his and follow through on our ambitions – and go even further, by eliminating the need for recycling and getting rid of avoidable plastic products from Parliament.

Wherever possible I know I will be endeavouring to reduce all my use of avoidable, I encourage all my colleagues, and the public, to do the same.”