Plastic Free Whitstable Business Champions: Frank

Frank, https://frankworks.eu the longstanding gallery shop and online business, has been a stalwart of Harbour Street for 20 years and a loyal supporter and promoter of Plastic Free Whitstable since its inception in 2019. None of the stock is plastic, packaging is paper and most of the stock is local and from the UK, so reducing travel costs. The owner, Mary Claire, says that they have always avoided single use products to reduce waste. In particular, they care about plastic waste and water pollution.

Their biggest problem is with suppliers and she campaigns with them to avoid plastic packaging completely. Her accounts are marked "NO PLASTIC". Mary Claire already avoids repeat orders when plastic is used and she is considering refusing to accept delivery of any stock which arrives wrapped in plastic.

Despite paying business rates, and unlike householders, local businesses do not have a free of charge recycling service. Because Mary Claire cares about the environment, she pays for a recycling service from Kite. Her advice to new businesses is "don't give up" and keep challenging your suppliers.