FIFE Council is to phase out single use plastic cutlery among other items as they bid to minimise the impact of plastics on the local environment.

At Thursday's Environment, Protective Services & Community Safety Committee, members agreed to support a move towards removing single use plastics, such as plastic cutlery, cups and straws from council use, and support the establishment of a cross council working group to implement change.

This will be something which impacts right across council offices in Fife, such as Brunton House, in Cowdenbeath.

This phasing out is to minimise the environmental impact of single use plastics on the environment.

Following internal consultation, three main aspects to single use plastic within the Council have been identified: plastic items that are used in the delivery of Council functions /services. For example the cups, cutlery and containers used in Council cafes or sample bottles or laminating pouches used to carry out statutory duties.

Single use plastic that is delivered into the Council as packaging around goods or equipment purchased.

Plastics that are brought into Council facilities by employees, service

users or pupils. For example plastic tubs, bottles and films around food and drink.

The main single use items noted as being used across the Council are plastic cups (including coffee cups), bottles, coffee cup lids, plastic cutlery and various plastic food containers including yoghurt pots.

The Council’s procurement team have already started engaging with suppliers and Scotland Excel about single use plastics including straws, cups and cutlery to reduce these items.

Other work will include: involving procurement in the sourcing and supply of suitable alternative to single use items; more efficient recycling; involving the suppliers of the milk cartons for schools in sourcing alternatives; a “bring our own cup” trial is set to start soon in Council facilities; requiring suppliers to reduce/eliminate single use plastics; review of in-house hospitality costs to make it a more attractive option than vending machines; incentivising people for using refillable or re-usable items.

The recommendations also include raising awareness internally on this issue.

Cllr Ross Vettraino, convener of the committee, said: “Within Scotland and the UK, there is now widespread understanding and acceptance that single use plastics have a detrimental impact on our wider environment.

“Establishing a cross-party working group to tackle this important issue is part of the strategy.

"The importance of reducing single use plastics cannot be overstated. Not only will it help the Council in its preparations to accommodate the landfill ban after 2020, but I believe that it is fundamental to preserving the planet for future generations.

"We all have a responsibility to look after the environment, and it is important that the council takes the lead and sets an example.”