Just like businesses, organisations such as community groups and organisations can also play a big part in reducing single-use plastic.
To become a Plastic Free Ally, groups / organisations must take the Plastic Free Pledge to remove single use plastic from their group, communicate their stance and support plastic-free initiatives locally.
Plastic Free Chesterfield are proud to have the following groups/organisations as Plastic Free Allies:
Big Red Food Shed
A project growing food for the local community, offering Horticultural Therapy to Adults with Learning Difficulties and people with Mental Health needs.
Big Red Food Shed doesn’t use any single-use plastics at any of their activity sessions. They strive to find a use for old and damaged pots after they have been used over and over.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigredfoodshed
Website: https://bigredfoodshed.co.uk
CCS Media – Flagship Employer
One of the UK’s largest Technology and Supplies/IT Resellers.
CCS Media has pledged to reduce single-use plastic within its business, in a bid to help tackle the growing issue of plastic waste. The company has committed to eradicating single-use plastics from all their offices by 2023.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCSMedia
Website: https://www.ccsmedia.com
Chesterfield Baptist Church
Chesterfield Baptist Church have appointed a Recycling Champion who encourages people to move to plastic free things in all aspects of life. The church have introduced reusable cups for tea/coffee before services. And a recycling system has been set up through the Terracycle scheme.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldBaptists
Website: https://www.chesterfieldbaptistchurch.org
Chesterfield Borough Council
In December 2020, Chesterfield Borough Council passed a motion to:
– Undertake a review of their single-use plastics to provide a closer estimate of the quantities being ordered and used
– Where possible, seek to remove single-use plastic from council operations by 2023 through engagement with suppliers and switching to alternative products
– Encourage and promote plastic free initiatives including Plastic Free Chesterfield
– Offer the support of the Council’s Climate Change Officer in an ex officio capacity on the steering grouo of Plastic Free Chesterfield
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldBoroughCouncil
Website: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk
Chesterfield & District Beekeepers Association
Although we rarely use single use plastics as an Association, we feel it is worth advertising this pledge to all our members with the hope that they too will join in and look at what they use in their personal day to day lives.
Website: http://chesterfieldbeekeepers.co.uk
Chesterfield & District Civic Society
Chesterfield & District Civic Society don’t give out any single-use plastic items at any of their events!
Website: http://www.chesterfieldcivicsociety.org.uk
Chesterfield College
Chesterfield College have swapped plastic cutlery for wood and bamboo spoons, knives and forks, swapped plastic straws for paper straws, and swapped plastic takeaway boxes for Vegware takeaway trays.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldCollegeOfficial
Website: https://www.chesterfield.ac.uk
Chesterfield FC and Chesterfield FC Community Trust
Chesterfield FC and Chesterfield FC Community Trust have signed the Plastic Free Pledge commmiting to reduce single-use plastics. The Community Trust also does excellent work raising awareness about plastic pollution in our district schools.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spireitestrust
Website: http://spireitestrust.org.uk
Chesterfield Garland Dancers
The Garland Dancers will continue to bring the drinks that they consume during their practices and at public events in re-usable containers, either in metal or solid plastic bottles that they already have and will use for as long as we possibly can. The carry cases they use for their equipment are cloth bags, or wicker baskets with specially made covers, and they will continue to use these. They do not use any additional single-use plastic.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Chesterfield-Garland-Dancers-111793297050265/
Website: https://chesterfieldgarland.org.uk
Chesterfield Market Cafe
The Chesterfield Market Cafe use paper straws INSTEAD OF plastic straws, cardboard cake boxes INSTEAD OF polystyene / plastic packaging, paper bags INSTEAD OF plastic bags, wooden stirrers instead of plastic stirrers, and wooden cutlery for take outs INSTEAD of plastic cutlery. The Market Cafe also offer 10% discount on hot drinks if you bring your own cup and advertise this through a poster. Plus they offer free water refills – INSTEAD OF promoting single-use water bottles.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldMarketCafe
Chesterfield Museum
Chesterfield Museum have replaced plastic bags with paper ones in their shop. Staff use china mugs and glasses for drinks. They have pledged to work towards getting rid of plastic materials for their in house craft activities. And they have also pledged to investigate alternatives to the plastic envelopes they currently use for mailings.
Website: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/museum
Chesterfield Operatic Society
An exciting, friendly and ultimately professional group of musical people.
Chesterfield Operatic Society run a bar and have pledged not to buy any more plastic bottles for pop. When transporting Operatic items, they will only use reusable bags. Plus they are going to put a notice on their sites to encourage their members to go plastic free.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chesterfieldoperatic
Website: https://www.chesterfieldoperaticsociety.com
Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir
A society to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals.
The choir has stopped using disposable plastic cups at weekly rehearsals and each bring their own mug now. At their annual Choral Day they will substitute the usual all disposable cups, plates and crockery they have previously used for convenience, in favour of china and lots of washing up! Also, individual members are doing their bit to address the issue. Plus, they will also encourage their concert venues to be single use plastic free.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chestphilchoir
Chesterfield Quakers
There has been a Quaker Meeting in Chesterfield for well over 350 years. The Chesterfield Quakers are one of the nine Quaker meetings in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Area Meeting.
The Friends have pledged to stop eating packets of biscuits, give up teabags, and make their own cleaning materials reusing existing containers. Chesterfield Quakers have also pledged to only purchase toilet rolls without plastic wrapping.
Website: https://chesterfieldquakers.org.uk
Community Growth CIC
Using Arts, Heritage, Enterprise & the Environment to inspire positive change across the whole community
Community Growth CIC have signed the Plastic Free Pledge.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communitygrowthcic
Website: https://www.communitygrowthcic.co.uk
Derbyshire Voluntary Action
Derbyshire Voluntary Action is a membership organisation for North Derbyshire’s health and wellbeing related voluntary and community sector.
Derbyshire Voluntary Action have stopped buying plastic water bottles and are using water filter jugs. They have pledged not to use disposable cups and plates at their forums and meetings. They will refill hand sanitiser bottles and their washing up bottle. And they will use other refillables wherever possible.
Website: https://dva.org.uk
Destination Chesterfield
Destination Chesterfield delivers a number of marketing campaigns which are helping to improve the economic prosperity of Chesterfield by promoting it as a contemporary destination.
Destination Chesterfield now use glass and china glasses/mugs for drinks at their annual awards ceremonies INSTEAD OF single-use plastic cups / coffee cups. They also use metal cutlery at their annual award ceremonies INSTEAD OF single-use plastic cutlery. The team all use refillable bottles or cups INSTEAD OF single use plastic water bottles. And if they produce bags for events or campaigns they are paper, card or cotton INSTEAD OF single use plastic bags.
Website: https://chesterfield.co.uk
Don Catchment Rivers Trust
Don Catchment Rivers Trust has been established to help protect and restore the rivers and streams in the River Don catchment area, this includes not just the River Don but also the River Dearne, River Rother and other rivers such as the Sheaf, Went, Ea Beck and many others.
Don Catchment Rivers Trust have become an ally as they are working tirelessly in Chesterfield to tackle the issue of waste in our rivers and streams, by holding regular river/stream/pathway clean ups. Details of these can be found on their event calendar. They would like to work alongside Plastic Free Chesterfield in highlighting the amount of plastic waste found in the rivers and streams found in Chesterfield, hopefully encouraging the public to take action on single-use plastic.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonCatchment
Website: https://dcrt.org.uk
Chesterfield Timebank
A skill sharing organisation free to join. Everyone’s time is equal in value.
Chesterfield Timebank do not provide plastic water bottles at meet ups and pledge to encourage members to bring re-fillable coffee cups to meet ups. Members are encouraged to borrow or loan plastic items when required for a one off use eg table decorations, display board etc and Time Bank pledge to build on this. One of the Time Bank groups, Time2share, involves distributing items to members, the use of plastic bags is avoided where possible and Time Bank pledge to work towards only using fabric ones.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cheztimebank
Website: http://chesterfieldtimebank.org
First Class Learning Chesterfield
Helping children achieve their potential through individual learning plans, improving concentration and confidence, and improving grades with school work.
The group have switched away from handing out plastic wallets for their students’ work, pledging not to use them anymore.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstClassLearningChesterfield/
Website: https://www.firstclasslearning.co.uk/
Friends of Holmebrook Valley Park
The ‘Friends of Holmebrook Valley Park’ are a group of people who promote and enhance the experience of visiting the park and wh support the protection and development of the park for the benefit of the local community, park visitors and the wildlife.
The group have signed the Plastic Free Pledge and committed to not using single-use plastics as a group. A sign lists their pledge on the noticeboard at the park.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Holmebrook-Valley-Park-977701785656769
Web: http://www.holmebrookvalleypark.org.uk
Friends of the Inkerman
A community group promoting interest in the Inkerman Park (aka Wasp Nest), Chesterfield. The park is now a QE2 Field in Trust.
The group have signed the Plastic Free Pledge and committed to not using single-use plastics as a group.
Web: http://www.friendsoftheinkerman.org
Green Arch Consulting
Supporting businesses to design and deliver profitable strategies for climate change resilience, brand enhancement and futureproofing.
As a sole trader based from a home office, Emma has minimal single use plastics impact. Her greatest impact is in helping her clients to understand and reduce their own single use plastics.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenarchconsulting
Website: https://greenarchconsulting.com
Hasland Magazine
A regular Hasland focused magazine containing news stories, what’s on guide, and articles about local projects
Signed the Plastic Free Pledge.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaslandMagazine
Website: https://www.haslandmagazine.co.uk
Junction Arts
A place-based charity who works with people to improve well-being and inspire change. Their festivals, workshops and events offer the chance for people to be creative and build stronger communities.
Pledged not to serve drinks in disposable cups (Card or plastic) at their events and workshops. They will make sure all their print marketing is recyclable. And they will use plastic free tea bags.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/junctionarts
Website: http://junctionarts.org
Little Midland Society
A local model railway club.
For many years, the Little Midland Society have tried to be responsible about their waste. They have never routinely used single use plastic cups, always using pot ones. One of the items that they used to use a fair few of was cotton buds which were supplied with plastic stems. These have now been replaced with cotton buds with cardboard stems.
Website: http://littlemidlandsociety.co.uk
Loundsley Green Community Trust
The Loundsley Green Community Trust is a non-profit community development trust covering the neighbourhoods of Loundsley Green & Holme Hall in the west of Chesterfield.
The Trust have signed the Plastic Free Pledge with an aim to exploring and reducing the single-use plastic items at Loundlsey Green Community Centre.
Website: http://www.lgct.org.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/loundsleygreen
Our Vision Our Future
A self advocacy group based in Chesterfield, run by and for adults with learning disabilities
The group have stopped buying plastic drinks bottles, have been spreading the word on Facebook, and members said they would make a poster too to raise awareness.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovof.chesterfield
Website: http://www.ovof.co.uk
Peak Radio
A local radio station covering Derbyshire and East Staffordshire, based in Chesterfield.
Peak Radio are very supportive of the plastic-free message. They are working to reduce single-use plastics in their studio and they’re also willing to come out and support us at our big events such as the Plastic Free Festival.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeakDerbyshire
Website: https://www.peakderbyshire.co.uk
Senior Spireites FC
As a club they do not give out any single-use plastic. However, individual members used to bring water to drink and some used single use bottles. To take action on this, the club has decided to buy re-usable water bottles, bearing the club name for all of their members to try to reduce the number of bottles which are discarded after games.
Sorbo Lounge
Chesterfield cafe, a home from home, offering delicious food and drinks, all day, on your doorstep. Their aim is simple: every customer leaves happy.
Sorbo Lounge only distribute straws made out of corn starch, making a strong decision not to sell single-use plastic straws. They also use bin bags made out of corn starch. Also, Sorbo Lounge have signed up to the Refill scheme to encourage people to refill their water bottles for free. Finally, Sorbo Lounge save all of their coffee bean bags, refill them with used coffee grinds, and offer these out to customers for free.
Website: https://thelounges.co.uk/sorbo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sorbolounge
St John’s Church, Walton
St John’s Eco Church don’t use any single use plastics at any of their church meetings and in their church groups. Their Tuesday lunch caters for around 50 people and we use linen tablecloths, ceramic crockery, glass tumblers and jugs and stainless steel cutlery – no plastic straws! They are careful to avoid single use plastic packaging in catering for this weekly lunch. They encourage other church groups and church centre users to reduce, reuse and recycle. They also provide information on a local organisation that hires party ware that is reusable to reduce disposable single use plastic.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/St-Johns-Church-Walton-247819131998301
Website: https://www.stjohnswalton.co.uk
St Thomas’ Centre
St Thomas’ Centre in the Brampton area of Chesterfield. Rooms available for hire at reasonable rates. Ideal for parties, conferences and meetings. St Thomas’ Coffee Bar on site, which can provide catering for events.
St Thomas Centre have become an ally as they have taken out sachets of sauce, swapped to paper straws and compostable cups. They also run a bring it back take away scheme and make as much as they can on site. St Thomas’ Centre composts waste and also gives food waste to local food banks and homeless provisions. They aim to re use and reduce as much waste as they can.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stthomascentre
Website: www.stthomascentre.com
The Creation Station Chesterfield
Chesterfield branch of The Creation Station. They make a positive difference, to inspire imaginations and nurture creativity through fun and educational arts and crafts, classes, parties, events and products.
The Creation Station always promotes and uses materials found around the home. During lockdown in 2020, children were offered a number of Family Fun sessions that reuse and repurpose materials that might have been thrown away. Deirdre, the local leader, always explains that she treats plastic as a precious, limited resource that should be repaired for continued use. Children and adults can see that Deirdre reuses plastic containers (playdoh, yoghurt, etc.) for holding materials to be used in making sessions.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Creation-Station-Chesterfield-391678621473266
Website: https://www.thecreationstation.co.uk/kids-art-classes-and-parties/chesterfield
Third Tuesday @ Two club (at St John’s Church, Walton)
The group don’t use disposable crockery, cutlery or plastic bottles (apart from milk which they recycle).
They home bake all of their refreshments so there is no packaging there and they use linen table cloths.
Their coffee is in glass containers, sugar is in paper packets and they don’t have control over the packaging for the tea.
Transition Chesterfield
Transition Chesterfield believe in a more locally resilient community which is less reliant on fossil fuels and has a positive environmental impact. Includes the following projects: Abundance, Inspire Community Garden and Repair Cafe.
Transition Chesterfield have become an ally as they are working to reduce waste, promoting Plastic Free Chesterfield in their monthly newsletters and providing Plastic Free Chesterfield with volunteer support. Their Repair Cafe, held on the 3rd Saturday of the month at Chesterfield Baptist Church, aims to repair broken items, so they are not thrown away, and thus given a new lease of life.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Transition-Chesterfield-215880025171591
Website: www.transitionchesterfield.org.uk
Waste Not Café Chesterfield
Monthly pop-up social eating cafe using surplus food otherwise thrown away by supermarkets, held at Chesterfield Baptist Church on 3rd Sunday of the month.
Waste Not Cafe hands out Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free individual action guides at every meal. They reuse containers they are given from their Fareshare delivery, such as yoghurt pots, for storage pots for the public to take away leftover uneaten food. Waste Not Cafe also utilises the church’s excellent Terracycle recycling scheme.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WasteNotCafeChesterfield
West Studios
Working closely with the local creative community to support local creative businesses, makers, independent artists and students of Chesterfield College in the creative and digital areas.
Made a pledge to only buy in paper bags for the shop, providing wooden stirrers instead of plastic stirrers, providing sugar in containers rather than sachets, allowing customers to bring in their own reusable mugs for use in the café area, and providing customers a discount on drinks when this is done. West Studios have also switched to vegwear for single-use hot drink containers/lids.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WestS41
Website: https://www.weststudios.co.uk
Are you part of a community group/charity/church/community centre and would like to be a Plastic Free Ally? Contact us via our Contact page.
Plastic Free Chesterfield 