The Forest Plastics Working Group use a collaborative approach to look at concerns and problems with the use and management of plastic and associated waste and compliance.
FWPG is supported by Confor, whilst YDMT provide support and secretariat.
The group has broad support from across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and includes a comprehensive range of sector representatives, including the major Environmental NGOs: Woodland Trust and National Trust, forestry companies, the nurseries, the National Parks, and the state (Coillte, Forestry & Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry, Natural Resources Wales, Forestry England, Forestry Commission, Forest Research, Defra, Resources and Waste, Environmental Quality Directorate).
FPWG brings together partners to focus on the reduction in single use and temporary use plastics in tree and woodland establishment. The Forest Plastics Working Group believes increasing woodland planting should not entail a subsequent increase of plastics in the environment.
The Forest Plastics Working Group brings together partners to focus on the reduction in single use and temporary use plastics in tree and woodland establishment. It includes a comprehensive range of sector representatives.
The aims of the Forest Plastics Working Group are to:
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The Forestry Plastic Group will use a collaborative approach to look at concerns and problems with the use and management of plastic and associated waste and compliance.
The Group, and will work with partners to develop responses, solutions and remedial actions, which will be disseminated throughout the forestry sector and to interested stakeholders.
Partners will include relevant Confor Groups (for example the Technical and Compliance Group and Nurseries and Suppliers Group), and Forest Research.
The Group will seek to engage all stakeholders from across the industry, compile and maintain a list of actions, and drive forward work as time and resources allow.
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In particular, but not exclusively, the Group will work in the following areas:
Producing guidance and best practice examples to better inform stakeholders and other interested parties.
Collaborating on research and innovation.
Endeavouring to work with regulators, manufacturers and the forestry industry to promote and facilitate improvements in use and management of plastic and associate waste .
Work with stakeholders, including grant giving bodies, to encourage change and reduce the amount of single-use plastic within the industry
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To deliver actions, the Group will draw upon the experience, skills and time of the membership, and of other organisations, companies and individuals as appropriate for specific tasks. Information, data and experience will be shared among partners.
Funding contributions may be sought from member organisations and other stakeholders to employ contractors to deliver some of the actions.
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Membership of the group will not exceed 20 in total and are made up of representatives of organisations from across the forestry industry involved in woodland creation and management or regulating these activities.
These include:
Coillte – Ireland Confor
Confor
Cheviot on behalf of Confor Nurseries & Suppliers group
Forestry Commission
National Trust
Forestry and Land Scotland
Forest England
Forest Research
Natural Resources Wales N Ireland Forest Service Scottish Forestry
Scottish Woodlands Ltd
Tilhill
Woodland Trust
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust – stakeholder organisation
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
DEFRA, Environmental Quality Directorate
National Park Authority on behalf of Designated Landscapes
The Heart of England Forest Community Forest Trust
Winnie Courtene-Jones - University of Plymouth
Other organisations, companies and individuals will be invited to participate in specific tasks as appropriate.
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The Group will be chaired on a rotational basis.
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Meetings will be held as required and at least twice per annum. Interim business will be conducted by meetings of individuals, email and video-conference as necessary.