Exeter firm rewarded for eliminating single-use plastics

Bishop Fleming accredited as a ‘Plastic Free Champion’

Top 30 firm, Bishop Fleming have been highlighted for their work to remove single use and avoidable plastics across the business.

The firm, which delivers audit, accounting and tax services have been accredited as a ‘Plastic Free Champion’ by conservation charity, Surfers Against Sewage.

Over 8,000,000 pieces of plastic pollution find their way into the ocean every day, with the UK using a staggering 38.5 million single-use plastics every day, where fewer than 60% is recycled.

Committed to protecting the environment and operating as a sustainable business, Bishop Fleming have completely removed the use of over six commonly used single-use plastic items from its seven offices.

The firm is continuing to work to eliminate all plastic from its business, having already got rid of carrier bags, bubble wrap, single use coffee cups, plastic straws, plates and cutlery.

Starting its plastic free journey in January 2019, Bishop Fleming’s Bright Futures initiative has been instrumental in driving this approach. The initiative involves a group of staff drawn from each office who work on a different project each year, with this year’s project focussing on ‘giving back’.

Christian Crawford, Audit Manager and Bright Futures member said: “Our group has been responsible for sourcing alternative solutions to single-use plastics that have been swapped by the firm, such as bottles and coffee cups. Each staff member has been provided with a reusable water bottle and reusable cup to eliminate the use of these plastics.”

A spokesperson for Surfers Against Sewage added: “Congratulations, Bishop Fleming are a Plastic Free Champion. They’re doing some fantastic work to remove and reduce the amount of single-use plastics being used by their seven offices.

“Plastic pollution in our oceans is the ‘new sewage’. It is one of the biggest global environmental threats of our age and fighting it together is our priority issue.”