A historic town celebrated becoming ‘plastic-free’ by hanging up a giant banner… made of plastic.
The town was mocked for the 10ft banner hanging from a 13th century archway into Chepstow, Monmouthshire, after it was granted plastic-free status by an environmental group.
It was proudly placed in the town centre with the words: ‘Plastic Free Chepstow.’
Councillors in Chepstow, Monmouthshire have erected a 10ft banner announcing the town’s market is now free of single use plastics… unfortunately the banner is not biodegradable
Stall holders in the popular market in Chepstow have agreed not to stock single use plastics
But the triangular blue and white flag was ridiculed as ‘beyond irony’ by the town’s former mayor because it is made of plastic.
The ancient border town of Chepstow was granted the status by environmental group Surfers Against Sewage.
The banner was put over the stone 13th Century landmark archway in a ceremony to celebrate the status.
But Chepstow town councillor and former mayor Armand Watts wants it to be taken down just days after it was hung on the weekend.
Mr Watts said: ‘This is beyond irony. The town council probably hadn’t even thought about the material.
‘If this is non-biodegradable, then it clearly should be removed and replaced.’
The town’s achievement comes after four months of preparation and campaigning by the group Plastic Free Chepstow.
And the group was further mocked for saying on social media that plastic was ‘more practical than the alternative.’
It said: ‘Yes the banner is plastic, we looked into it and decided that plastic was much more practical than the alternatives. It will be used many times and disposed of responsibly at the end of its life.’
A spokesman for the group said: ‘To clarify, we are focusing on trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastics used in town.
‘That is ‘disposable’ or ‘throw-away’ items such as crisp packets, Polystyrene food take-away containers and plastic takeaway coffee cup lids.
‘We understand, of course, that it is often absolutely necessary to use plastic products like our banner.
‘However it is important that, when we do, they are well-designed, durable and long-lasting.’
‘I’m sure we’ll be using this banner for many years to come..’
Group co-ordinator Graham Eele said he was proud of the town achieving plastic-free status.
Mr Eele added: ‘It’s a big achievement but it’s really only the start.
‘There’s an awful lot of plastic still around.’
Volunteer Tim Melville said that plastic had been chosen over cotton because it is hard-wearing.
‘Plastic has a valuable role to play – it is in phones and all sorts of products,’ Mr Melville said.
‘The sign will be used for many years to come. Cotton was considered but it would have degraded and torn because of the length of it.’