Plastic Free Whitstable Business Champions: The Horsebridge

Our local Whitstable community arts centre, The Horsebridge, opened in 2004 and registered as a Plastic Free Business Champion in 2018. Talking to their manager, Liz, it is clear that she believes “reducing plastic should be important to everyone”.

The Horsebridge, as a public centre, should model best practice and raise awareness through their projects and exhibitions.

The Horsebridge has taken a range of steps to reduce, reuse and recycle including changing their packaging and encouraging their suppliers to do the same. Disposable cups and glasses have been replaced by china and glassware which, despite the initial outlay, gives a positive message to their customers. Many of their groups use recycled art materials. In the summer beach toys are available for visitors to borrow. The Art Bank is another example of reducing waste. It operates like a food bank, accepting donations of art materials and passing them on to local partners and groups.

Looking ahead Liz plans to research the Surfers Against Sewage silver and gold standard awards and consider how they can extend their efforts to improve the environment. She advises that becoming a Plastic Free business is worthwhile, saying that they should tell people about it as the “customers like to know about your efforts”. www.thehorsebridge.org.uk