A TAVISTOCK couple who went plastic free for a month said the challenge was both ‘interesting and frustrating’ — and helped not only the environment but the local trade.

Mike Hooper and Ceri Busby, who live on Dolvin Road, took on the ‘plastic-free February’ initiative after noticing the amount of plastic used by supermarkets.

During their challenge they said that Tavistock businesses and locals welcomed the idea.

Mike added: ‘Tavistock is blessed with people who welcome the idea, particularly eating wise. Howells Butchers were incredibly helpful and provided all our meat in either paper bags or old-fashioned butcher’s wrapping paper. Roots and Vines delivered exceptional value boxed goods of whatever we asked for, to the door, with no charge.

‘Supermarkets are obviously more difficult but even things like 100 per cent recycled toilet rolls in paper wrapping are available. Toothpaste in powder form, going back to bars of soap not shower gel, are all things we took on board, but there is one area that is currently insurmountable — washing and cleaning products. You can buy washing powder in boxes but you can’t get bleach in anything other than plastic cartons. We are sure this can be addressed and there is definitely a growing need for it, or even refillable cartons would help.’

‘The challenge showed them that supermarkets will take the fruit and veg out of plastic packaging and costs stay the same.

‘At the end of the day it was a well worth exercise and has changed the way we shop markedly,’ said Mike.

‘We have stuck by our butchers and grocers, which is also better for the town’s economy. Importantly, our general shopping bill did not really change, for those whose initial comment would be that surely it costs a lot more.’

Pictured is Mike and Ceri’s most recent recycling after the month of plastic free. Before the challenge these two boxes would have been full each week.