Great Plastics Debate takes place in Taunton

Some of the South West's leading minds came together on Friday night (September 14) to take part in the Great Plastics Debate at Queen's College, also attended by members of the public.

The knowledgeable panelists discussed matters relating to single-use plastics, circular economy, and health and wellbeing in Somerset, as well as the town's drive to be leading researchers on the subjects.

The event was organised by Taunton Deane Borough councillor Habib Farbahi.

The panelists were Nick Bryant, head of strategy for TDBC, Jim Claydon, past president of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Natasha Bradshaw, for South West Marine Ecosystems, Koorosh Khodabandahloo, a professor from the University of Southern Queensland, Stuart Monk, from South West Academic Health Science, Mickey Howard, a professor from the University of Exeter, and Owen Pask, assistant director for Norr Consultants Ltd. The evening was chaired by editor of the County Gazette, Paul Jones.

Professor Mickey Howard explained the concept of circular economy to the audience and how it can be adapted to plastics.

"We're leaving a legacy of plastics," he said.

"The amount of plastics is expected to double in he next 20 years, and 95 per cent of what we have made has been lost in economy."

He explained how going from a 'take, make and waste' attitude, to a circular one, would recovery value lost in not reusing plastic we have already created.

He added: "Where's the value in throwing things away?

"Burning it is better than landfill, but it's not there yet.

Professor Khodabandahloo joined prof. Howard in explaining the wasteful plastic industry.

He explained how tech to clear the oceans of plastic waste is something he is excited about, but more work needs to go into these machines to distinguish between fish and waste.

He said: "People will take notice when it hurts their pockets or their health, but the global problem is already here. We've got to make people aware."

With 90 per cent of marine wildlife having plastic inside of them, which humans then eat, Prof. Khodabandahloo said more work needs to be done to understand what this does to our health, and the health of other creatures.

Dr Stuart Monk explained how the NHS in the South West was the perfect place for research to take place, which would bring light to understanding what plastic is doing to our bodies, but to also bring funding and jobs to the area.

But this knowledge is worthless without a plan to back it up - which Mr Bryant, the council's head of strategy, who has only held the role for two weeks, said may need to be put on hold while the new Somerset West and Taunton authority is created.

He said: "We've got to be mindful of how decisions are made. It can be done, but there needs to be a mandate.

"We need a business case, figure out what we want to tackle. Once we understand that, and learn what it means in terms of land requirement, we can move forward and set out the route map."

Mr Jones, editor of the County Gazette, questioned whether this thinking would extend into the future with a full unitary authority looming over the county.

Cllr Farbahi's idea revolves around creating a centre for excellence for research and development in Taunton. He wants to see the council work with partners such as the town's surrounding universities, as well as other stakeholders, to bring the idea to fruition. It also requires the help of the people of Taunton to adopt a forward-thinking attitude to plastics.

Natasha Bradshaw explained how taking a small step to do something such as banning plastic straws in the town would have a huge impact, as well as increasing awareness for the issues surrounding other single-use plastics.

One member of the public asked a question floating through a lot of people's minds - 'why Taunton?'. He said with the town's track record for halting projects, why is the county town the place to make this huge step forward?

Jim Claydon, past president of the Royal Town Planning Institute, explained how Taunton could be the perfect place.

He said: "Taunton has garden town status, this allows it to have development corporations, which can get money back into the town and make development work.

"We are sitting with an opportunity of a lifetime. If we want to make Taunton a special place, now is the time to do it."

He added the town's location aided its ability to make the plans work, as well as being close to a motorway junction.

The evening ended with a buzz of positivity after a series of questions from interested people.

Cllr Farbahi, concluding the event, said: "Now we've got to drive ideas through with innovation and creative thinking. We must come together, as only collectively can we solve this problem."