A STEERING group in Caversham, set up to encourage the community to reduce their use of single-use plastics, met for the first time this week.

Plastic Free Caversham, set up by Caversham councillor, Ayo Sokale, met on September 11 where nine members discussed their ideas for the future.

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Members were local people, many of which were parents hoping to mould a better future for their children, and businesses who are already actively helping the community be more sustainable.

The aim of the group is to work alongside people, businesses and schools to assist them in becoming more sustainable by reducing their reliance on single-use plastics.

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Cllr Sokale explained that the group will research ways they can reduce single-use plastics before sharing their ideas and supporting the community during their transition to becoming more sustainable.

One member of the group owns a hair salon and has modelled her business on being sustainable.

She only allows customers to use refillable bottles for products such as shampoo and uses degradable hair products instead of tinfoil for colouring.

Cllr Sokale said she is "so passionate" about this new venture and her 'superhero' nickname is Ecoangel because of her dedication to helping protect the environment.

She explained that the meeting was exciting with everyone "cross pollinating each other" with ideas on how to be more sustainable.

Cllr Sokale explained that we have a responsibility to care about the world we live in on a global and local level.

She said: “Caversham people can make a difference.”

In the future she hopes that this movement will snowball to the rest of Reading and then the UK.

Although the group is in its early stages, Cllr Sokale is "proud" of her team so far.

She said: "I can't wait to see what we can achieve when we all come together."

Their Facebook group, Reading Plastic Reduction Group, is a space for anyone to share ideas on how to reduce plastic consumption, celebrate success, and for the group to give advice to people.

The group are encouraging people to join, with Cllr Sokale believing the more people, the merrier.