The Parish Council have approved the banning of all plastic from our cemeteries in Albaston and Calstock. Windblown plastic debris is an increasing problem. Recently, in one month alone, council workmen filled a builder’s dumpy bag with plastic litter lying around which was not associated with any specific grave.
The ban will include plastic ornaments, wreaths and artificial flowers. Natural alternative materials will continue to be welcomed.
In 2019 the Parish Council declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to reduce single use plastic in the Parish.
Cllr Mike Greenwood, Chairman of the Burial Board, said: “We recognise it is important for people to be able to remember their loved ones by leaving flowers and other mementoes at the graveside, and long may that continue. All we are asking is that people refrain from using plastic items because it is quite staggering how much material ends up blown around our cemeteries and surrounding areas. This includes brittle plastic from pots, ornaments, artificial flowers, and cellophane wrappers. Although large pieces can be retrieved, others are very small and escape into the environment, to the detriment of wildlife and watercourses. They can also pose a hazard to our staff as they work to maintain our graveyards to such a high standard.”
Cllr Dorothy Kirk, Cornwall Councillor for Gunnislake and Calstock, supports the move: “When I’m asked what we can actually do to help the planet, I say we cannot do nothing. I don’t want to tell my granddaughters that I simply didn’t bother. The effects of plastic getting into wildlife habitats and water courses are devastating. We can all do something, and this initiative is one such step.”
Notices will be put up around the sites informing people of the new ‘No plastics’ rules and reminders put on local websites and social media groups after which any remaining plastic items will be removed.
Cllr Greenwood added, “Obviously we do not wish to cause anyone upset or distress. We continue to welcome natural materials such as earthenware, wood, fresh flowers and plants.”
Wreaths will continue to be laid for the Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in Albaston and removed at the end of January.
These regulations bring our cemeteries into line with similar regulations issued by the Diocese of Truro in May 2019. These are designed to preserve suitable and harmonious surroundings, and to maintain the dignity of local burial grounds
Hi,just wondering if this applies to all funeral wreaths etc as a lot of these have ribbon which is looks plastic like
Currently our regulations state that wreaths will be removed after two months from interment. We will ask that funeral directors take into consideration the use of ribbons and other plastic fixtures when ordering wreaths but we do appreciate that wreaths -at the time of interment- will have to be permitted temporarily. Christmas wreaths and poppy wreaths are also displayed for 2 months before removal. We hope that in time poppy wreaths may be more environmentally conscious.
Thank you for asking for this clarification – it is helpful.
Better not be removing the bits from the graves for us! If you want them removed ask us but do not under any circumstances touch my families graves without my permission
We will be endeavouring to make contact with as many people as we are able to and we will be giving people as period of notice by which to remove items. We will not be removing anything until June at the earliest
I agree about the plastic but why should people put fresh flowers there only to be eaten by the rabbits? Until the problem with the rabbits is resolved people will continue to put artificial flowers on the graves not everyone can afford or have the time to put fresh flowers on every week.
Thank you for your comments which are noted
What is wrong with you people how dare you remove items from the graves of loved ones , what would be the point of putting fresh flowers there to be eaten by rabbits which I have been asking the Council to do something about for months . I for one will continue to put silk flowers on my parents grave in the headstone until the Council sort out the issue with the rabbits . Perhaps the evening herald would be interested to see the distress that this would cause to bereaved families removing tributes from the graves the cellophane wrappers come from fresh flowers not silk . As far as I am concerned the headstone belongs to me and any removal of the silk flowers I consider theft ! If wood is allowed perhaps the answer would be to have their grave covered in decking as the council so far have done nothing about the rabbits .
We are looking into the rabbit situation but there is no easy answer to keeping the rabbits out long term. The Parish Council declared an environment and climate emergency and have introduced a plastic free policy to help mitigate the terrible effect of plastic on the environment. Our policies are in line with other cemeteries within Cornwall Council and the Diocese of Truro do not allow plastic within their graveyards.