Plastic Free Shefford

30/03/2026

It isn't always easy to avoid single use plastic but it is possible to reduce our use of it, sometimes it takes a little bit of planning, but it is possible.
Can you try to reduce to have a zero waste day today? Or, can you try and reduce at least one piece of single use plastic?

Today is the United Nations International Day of Zero Waste. This year’s focus is on food waste.

Globally, we throw away about 1 billion tonnes of edible food every year – and around 60% of food waste happens at a household level.

But one of the many positive impacts of avoiding single-use plastics is that it often reduces food waste, too. That includes actions like:

🥦 Bulk food shopping, which gives more control over quantity
🥦 Using non-plastic storage solutions that keep ingredients fresher for longer
🥦 Being more purposeful with meal planning and preparation, and often using ingredients already in the pantry rather than buying more

Have you found that avoiding single-use plastic has helped you reduce food waste, too? Let us know in the comments!

28/03/2026

With my recycling bin getting a little fuller than usual, due to the paused collections last week, I'm planning to put some of it to use at our next children's craft event at Shefford library.
Saturday 11 April 10am - 12noon come on down and be creative by junk modelling some litter picking machines, like this amazing design from last March that had eyes to see the rubbish, a nose to smell it and hands to pick it up.
What could you create?

24/03/2026

People Planet Pint this Thursday from 8pm at The Brewery Tap.
This will be the last one I'm hosting so it would be great to see lots of you there to catch up on all we have done over the last few years.
Remember to sign up for free on the link 🍻
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shefford-small99s-people-planet-pinttm-sustainability-meetup-tickets-1405059804699

21/03/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who joined in with our litter pick this morning.
It was great to see you out in the sunshine helping to keep Shefford tidy.

Plastic Free Shefford is all about reducing unnecessary single use plastic and helping to keep it off our streets, green spaces and especially out of our rivers. A lot of the rubbish consisted of drink and food packaging - this information will be fed back to Surfers Against Sewage as part of the brand audit so they can challenge the companies that are producing it.
All of this rubbish is now being recycled or disposed of correctly.

It was also nice to stop and chat to people interested in what we were doing. Several people asked whether we would be doing this regularly, unfortunately I can't commit to it by myself but if anyone is interested in helping organise regular litter picks then please get in touch.

20/03/2026

Quick reminder about our litter pick tomorrow.
Come along anytime from 10-11:30am.
In small groups, you will be given a short briefing before heading off for a stroll around Shefford to pick up any litter you find.

14/03/2026

As part of the we were at the library this morning setting up a scavenger hunt all about how long items take to degrade if not disposed of properly. It will be up all week so pop in and ask for a sheet.
Next Saturday, we'd love you to come along for a stroll around Shefford with family, friends or to meet like-minded local residents and help to keep our streets and green spaces tidy.

Meet at Pamoli Square anytime from 10am - 11:30am. All equipment will be provided but please return by midday.

Each group will be given a short briefing and then asked to follow a route and collect any litter you see along the way.

08/03/2026

Great citizen science project - count up how much plastic you dispose of from 9-15 March to help collect data to find out how much plastic really does get wasted in our homes

It's your last chance to sign up! 🚨 The Big Plastic Count starts next Monday on March 9. Join thousands of people across the country in the UK's biggest people powered investigation into household plastic waste. ✊

The data we gather will be used to hold big business and the government to account - it's time for a fair future where everyone is free from the impacts of the plastic crisis. 💚

Share with your networks, friends, family, and communities. 🔗 thebigplasticcount.com/sign-up

24/02/2026

Got some events and ideas for the upcoming from Keep Britain Tidy
More details coming soon 👀

03/02/2026

Walking home from the school run today behind a lad, maybe 9 or 10, who was drinking a can of red bull.
I'm not going to get judgemental on the drink of choice but what flabbergasted me was when he blatantly threw the can onto the river bank whilst carrying on his conversation with his mate.
My daughter, who is the same age, immediately said she'd go and pick it up and we brought it home to put in the recycling.
Obviously super proud of her but leaves me wondering how we can encourage others to put their rubbish where it belongs.
With Keep Britain Tidy's Great Big Spring Clean coming up next month I'd really like to make a plan to see how we can encourage people to and keep our streets and green spaces free from litter.
Send me a message if you'd like to get involved 🚮

11/01/2026

Had a fantastic morning at Shefford library yesterday creating bird decorations that were inspired by the upcoming RSPB Birdwatch.
Thank you to all of those who got involved, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

07/01/2026

Enjoying prepping our craft for Saturday.
Remember to pop in to Shefford library from 10-12 for our craft swap.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year everyone!
We're looking forward to lots of crafty fun this year at Shefford Library starting on Saturday 10 January from 10-12 with a fun bird craft to support the RSPB's Birdwatch.