"By 2050 the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight: this shocking statistic has inspired me to pledge to #GiveUpPlasticForLent" Caroline Dinenage MP
Caroline is joining around 40 other Conservative MPs who 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 and are encouraging others to join in. Caroline has promised to reduce her consumption of single use plastics. Others are promising to use a refillable coffee cup, give up plastic straws and avoid plastic cutlery.
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.
Not all alternatives to plastics are necessarily friendlier to the environment, the MPs hope that those who take part in the #GiveUpPlasticForLent challenge they will also be able to increase understanding of the environmental benefits of different consumer choices.
Caroline said:
"14th February this year is both Valentine's Day and the start of Lent. So rather than giving up the chocolate, I'm going to show a bit of love for our planet by reducing my consumption of single use plastics
It will be very difficult to go plastic-free entirely but I'm just going to do the best I can and I hope this process will help me be better informed about both the practical challenges and environmental issues of replacing plastics with alternatives.
I am really pleased to be taking part in this challenge, and it would be fantastic to see the local community join in."
If you want to join Caroline in this challenge you can sign up or follow her progress and share tips at www.facebook.com/Groups/GiveUpPlasticForLent.
