About

About our FoE group

In October 2018, four friends local to Ruthin came together to create ‘Plastic Free Ruthin,’ with the goal of securing a plastic free community. Since then, this small grouphas grown considerably. With almost 300 local followers on social media
and dozens more actively joining the plastic free initiative. The group has now
developed into an official ‘Friends of the Earth’ group, who meet monthly and are
striving to meet the national criteria for such community projects.

Current projects that are under way include the development of a local ‘Library
of things’. This might be based in The Old Courthouse, St.Peters Square. This scheme will enable members of the community to borrow useful items to use at
home. The idea is that it is a place where people can borrow things they need but
don’t own and donate things they own but don’t need. This will also act as a
community hub for people to share knowledge and skills. We hope this further
develops into a repair and recycle centre, in order to save money, space and the
planet.

The group continually works towards a ‘plastic free’ community status. With our
plastic free campaigns and assistance from the wider network of ‘Friends of the
Earth’, we have been able to encourage local businesses and schools to use less
single-use plastics.

Another local scheme is the ‘Dwr Cymru’ refill scheme. Any
shop featuring the refill sticker on their doors, welcome people to refill their
reusable bottles with water. Look out for the blue refill sticker around Ruthin
and make use of this great service. We have had a great response so far and hope
to build this network of refill stations around the town.
This July there is a ‘plastic free’ challenge. Some easy ways we can begin this
journey may include; carrying reusable drinks containers, reusable shopping
bags and reusable straws. Be aware of single use plastics when shopping and any
unnecessary packaging that may be avoided. Communicating your goals with
friends, family and local suppliers may encourage others and be useful for
sharing ideas.

For any more tips and information follow our Facebook groups and pages /Plastic Free Ruthin, Ruthin Friends of the Earth/ or follow our ‘Friends of the Earth Ruthin’ Instagram page.
Alternatively, feel free to call into one of our meetings for a friendly chat.
Many towns and cities across the UK are becoming ‘plastic free’ and Welsh towns
are also making huge efforts to gain a plastic free status. With our great
community spirit and the valued, continued support of local people, Ruthin too,
can achieve this in the near future!