Millions of pieces of throwaway plastic will be saved from landfill in a new campaign by Fife Council.
From Monday, the local authority will no longer provide disposable cutlery and other single-use items, in a move bosses believe will save more than one million pieces of plastic every year.
Its Cut it Out campaign is designed to minimise the use of these plastics, even if the item can be recycled afterwards.
And the local authority is encouraging staff to curb their use plastics and to reuse more as well.
In a project managed by its arm’s length company Resource Efficient Solutions, the council will stop providing plastic and paper cups, plastic teaspoons and plastic straws in its cafes and larger offices.
From Monday single use plastic teaspoons will not be used in Fife Council schools either.
The campaign is asking employees to carry a reusable bottle or cup for their water and hot drinks, or use reusable cups available in staff kitchens.
Its cafés will provide reusable teaspoons and wooden stirrers will continue to be provided.
Environment convener, SNP councillor Ross Vettraino, said: “Our throw-away culture is having a devastating impact on our environment and that’s why Fife Council is committed to reducing plastics consumption.
“In its daily activities, the council uses more than 900,000 plastic teaspoons, 160,000 plastic cups and 18,000 plastic straws every year, as well as a range of other single use plastics.
“The council is asking its employees join with it in its journey to eliminate all of them.”
Mr Vettraino warned the journey “won’t be easy” but must be undertaken if society hopes to arrest “our widespread abuse of our environment and the planet as a whole”.
“Happily, within Scotland and beyond, there is now widespread understanding and acceptance of the damage that single use plastics cause and the detrimental impact that they have on the environment.
“This first step on the journey may be a simple step, but it is an important one, because it is essential that the council sets an example and takes the lead.
“It is my earnest hope everyone will follow the council’s lead and individually take the same simple step and avoid the use of single use plastic wherever possible.”
