A Statement of Principles has been approved by full Council which pledges to minimise and remove single use plastics (SUPs) across its offices and catering services.
It is also designed to encourage contractors and residents and businesses in the wider community to minimise their use of SUPs.
The Principles also outline the development of staff and community volunteering groups to collect litter and minimise plastic pollution in parks and open spaces.
They also propose the promotion of recycled plastic materials as an alternative to SUPs along with the development of innovative projects to cut SUP waste.
A ’12 Days 12 Ways’ campaign highlighting how to avoid SUPs and suggesting alternatives has now been launched on social media.
Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “We must do all we can to cut out single use plastics which can go on to pollute our countryside and waterways for decades.
“As a Council we are taking responsibility for our use of SUPs as well as setting an example for others in the hope of reducing the appalling effect they have on our environment.”
For more details on the 12 Days 12 Ways SUPs campaign, follow the Council’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.