THE war on plastic kicks off in earnest in Haslemere this week when a new campaign is launched to mark the start of a progressive collaboration between businesses, councillors and residents to tackle waste.

Love Haslemere, Hate Waste, which launches in Haslemere Museum on Wednesday at 7.30pm, will first target plastic in partnership with the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Communities initiative.

Instigated by entrepreneur Victoria Page, the campaign is backed by Haslemere Independent county councillor Nikki Barton and Green town councillor Gary Lloyd.

It aims to cut waste going to landfill by redesigning ‘greener’ products and packaging and encouraging more recycling.

Award-winning Wey Hill health and wellbeing store Apothecary 27, which was judged Europe’s best in the 2018 natural and organic awards, is already driving ‘green’ change.

Owned by Joe Jackson, twice named one of Europe’s ‘30 Under 30’ most innovative entrepreneurs in the European health industry, it recently launched a Zero Waste Station in store.

Apothecary 27 is currently dispensing 300 litres of refillable items a week, such as washing-up and laundry liquids.

Customers are asked to take in their old bottles and can get them refilled as part of the zero waste policy.

Joe said: “The public are starting to open their eyes to the damage materials such as plastic are not only doing to our wildlife, but also our planet.”