Who are Surfers Against Sewage?

 

S.A.S are a grassroots movement that has grown into one of the UK’s most active and successful environmental charities with their main focus now being plastic, as it is the ‘new sewage’ and biggest threat to our marine eco-system. 

They adopt a two-pronged approach:

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1. Stopping the problem at source.
   By tackling society’s throwaway culture when it comes to single-use plastics, we aim to change consumer behaviour and industry standards. Solutions like a Deposit Return System (DRS) would stop millions of pieces of plastic from entering the ocean eco-system in the first place.
    

2. Cleaning up pollution from our beaches.
   We’re a movement of do-ers, not just talkers. So we organise more beach cleans than any other charity in the UK. These events galvanise communities into action – protecting their local beaches for everyone to enjoy.

 

What does it mean to be “plastic-free”? 

 

It’s not about removing all plastic from our lives. It’s about kicking our addiction to avoidable single-use plastic, and changing the system that produces it.

 

What was the process involved to achieve this status?

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There are 5 Objectives set by S.A.S

https://www.sas.org.uk/your-community-toolkit/

 

1. Local Governance
   Local council to pass a resolution supporting the journey to Plastic Free Community status. This was passed as a motion on DATE & Minutes?
    

2. Local Businesses
   Work with businesses in your community to help them reduce single use plastics.
   12 businesses removed or replaced or 3 single use plastic items and have an ongoing.
   Faversham’s Plastic Free Champions: Tides Cafe, Macknade Food Hall, Heaven & Earth, The Yard, House Of The Crafty Fox, Lotty's Flowers, Jittermugs Coffee Wine and Tapas Bar, Apotheca-Natural Health, Edibleculture, Mightyfinethings, The Pantry, M B Farms, The Yarn Dispensary & Ollie Bongo's Pet Essentials
    

3. Plastic Free Allies
   Inspire the wider community to spread the plastic-free message.
    

4. Plastic Free Rallies
   Mobilise your community. Hold a clean-up, mass unwrap or other events to raise awareness.
    

5. Establish a Steering Group
   Form a group of local stakeholders and meet at least twice a year to take your community campaign forward.
    

If you or your business would like to be part of this group please contact us.

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If you are interested in helping with Plastic Free Faversham’s S.A.S project we are always after a hand. We are keen to get someone dedicated to continue our work with the Local Businesses . Just drop us a line!