DEVON County Council has pledged to phase out its use of the most polluting single-use plastic products within two years.

The move is part of a new action plan the council has developed to help cut the amount of single-use plastic waste in Devon.

The “Plastics Strategy” outlines how various single-use plastic food and beverage packaging and tableware (such as cutlery and cups) will be removed from council work locations by 2020.

It also summarises how it will use its position and responsibility to raise awareness of the issues surrounding single-use plastics and encourage and support collective action across the county.

Announcing the news on UN World Environment Day (Tuesday, June 5), Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “The UN’s World Environment Day theme this year is beating plastic pollution, so I am pleased to share our new strategy for helping reduce plastic waste in Devon.

“The problem of marine waste washing up on beaches is growing worldwide.

“The UK has seen a 140 per cent rise since 1994, with around 5,000 items of plastic pollution now found per mile of beach.

“Our county boasts over 500 miles of beautiful coastline and we must do all we can to help protect it.”

The “Plastics Strategy” will be considered by Devon County Council Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday, June 13. A copy of the strategy, along with the action plan, is available on the council’s website.