A joint Barnaby Festival and Treacle Market initiative entitled ‘Macc-tastic, Less Plastic’ has been launched to help reduce plastic waste in Macclesfield.
Local residents at the ‘Macc-tastic’ event in St Michael’s Churchyard on Sunday 24th June were joined by MP David Rutley.
The project, also being supported by Macclesfield Town Council, aims to promote simple and effective ways to help local residents and businesses cut down on the amount of single-use plastics.
Organisers say it is imperative that we reuse, recycle and upcycle more so that less plastic makes its way into landfill or rivers and oceans.
Pupils from Tytherington School, along with headteacher Manny Botwe, were on hand to give a presentation on the achievements of the school’s ‘Tythy Goes Green’ student group.
The students have seen significantly reduced amounts of single-use plastic in use at the school.
Mr Rutley was impressed to learn of the positive suggestions promoted by the young people present – particularly around school lunches, and their enthusiasm for making further positive action in their local community.
At the event, local experts were on hadn’t to give talks and tips on everything from environmentally-friendly food and fashion choices, to recyclable nappies and composting food waste.
Stalls were set up by Macclesfield RSPB, local charity Cre8 (which ran a bike repair workshop), and Bee Friendly Macclesfield.
In the ‘Make-Mend-Fix Marquee’ there were family-friendly activities for all ages on upcycling and reusing items such as clothing, with help from local group Macctavist and haberdashery business Crafty Corner.
Visitors could also make a Plastic Pledge, to cut down on the amount of plastic in any way they chose… from swapping cling-film for waxed fabric foodwraps or not purchasing vegetables packaged in plastic, to help make Macclesfield a more sustainable town.
Pledges were put inside a plastic bottle and added to a sculpture created by Anna Riordan, which will stay in the churchyard until mid-July.
The organisers see the event as a catalyst to bring together concerned residents and begin a wider conversation across the town.
