This year’s Earth Day theme on Monday, April 22 was planet vs plastics with a focus on reducing the planet’s plastic production.

To mark the international day of environmental awareness-raising, the Herald spoke to Norma Cornish and Alex Lentz from Plastic Free Farnham, a community group working to make the town plastic-free.

Norma said: “There are about 500 towns across the country accredited as plastic-free, but we're hoping to be the first in Surrey. 

“There are others we know that are working towards getting that accreditation and it spurs us on.

“When most people hear about why we're doing it and what happens to the plastic when you throw it away, or even if you think you're sending it to recycling, they actually want to do something themselves.”

Plastic Free Farnham recently took part in a big plastic count – asking local people to note how much plastic they were using during the week.

Alex added: “It's very hard to try and to live a more plastic-free life.

“Up until I think 18 months ago, we used to have a whole food shop in Farnham where you could buy toothpaste in a little tin.

“But that's gone and it’s really hard now.”

Plastic Free Farnham believes anyone can make changes to reduce plastic such as swapping a plastic water bottle for a reusable one or using plastic tubs for planting.

There are plenty of these tips and other resources on the Plastic Free Farnham Facebook page and https://www.plasticfreefarnham.org