A PUB landlord is hoping to do his bit to help save the environment by going ‘plastic free’.

Andrew Giles, who runs the Pelican Inn, in Newcastle Emlyn, has been inspired to improve his business’s green credentials following all the recent publicity about the effect plastic is having on polluting the seas and our environment.

“People were talking about it and the issue was raised at the last town traders’ meeting and that’s when I decided to do something,” said Andrew, who celebrates his 49th birthday later this year.

“People are just irresponsible when it comes to chucking away plastic and I decided I want to do my little bit to help and it also raises awareness of the issue. There are millions of tonnes of plastic in our oceans that is causing all sorts of harm.

“The only thing I can control is what the customer leaves here with and everything I can change, has been changed.”

“Now, if someone simply chucks something away and it ends up in the river, it won’t even make it to the sea. It will simply biodegrade and not end up killing a turtle or a whale.”

All the pub’s and attached restaurant’s plastic straws, Styrofoam takeaway boxes, plastic cutlery and plastic take-out cups and glasses have been recycled and replaced with paper straws, biodegradable take-out cups, beechwood cutlery and cardboard takeaway boxes.

The new take-away glasses in the pub look and feel just like the plastic ones they have replaced but are made instead from plant starch and are completely compostable.

Andrew is also ensuring all the plastics that come with packaging are also recycled from behind the bar.

“It is not easy to source everything and it is more expensive but I feel it is well worthwhile and I think most of the customers appreciate that,” added Andrew, who has run the pub for the past couple of years.