Mayo retailers urged to eliminate single use plastics

Retailers in Mayo are being encouraged to take the final step in fully eliminating banned single-use plastic (SUP) items for sale and supply, as My Waste launches a new national awareness campaign aimed at supporting full sector compliance. The campaign will take place from April 26 to May 10.

My Waste’s Single-Use Plastics campaign is designed to support retailers in completing the final phase of compliance by fully removing any remaining banned SUP items from stock and supply chains, while driving nationwide engagement and reinforcing a unified, sector-wide commitment.

Research, conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of My Waste, Ireland’s official guide to managing your waste, highlights the Irish retail sector has already made significant progress.

The vast majority of businesses report that banned items have now been significantly removed from circulation, with just 8 per-cent of businesses saying they have been offered banned single-use plastics by suppliers, and only 4 per-cent reporting recent purchases. This indicates that the transition away from these products is well advanced across the Irish market.

At the centre of the campaign is a newly developed and free to download Retailer Self-Audit Checklist, a practical guide designed to help businesses review existing stock, identify any non-compliant products, and take straightforward steps towards full compliance. Retailers are also encouraged to show their commitment to eliminating single use plastics by displaying the campaign pledge badge in-store and online.

Mayo retailers can download the Retailer Self-Audit Checklist and find further details and information here.