I am keen for Exmouth to develop as an eco-friendly town and this view has been strongly expressed in response to the May 2016 Neighbourhood Plan questionnaire. We already have some excellent work being undertaken by groups such as Transition Exmouth, Clean Beach Exmouth, Clean Street Exmouth as well as local businesses and individuals. My vision is for a town that is sustainable and green to benefit local residents, our environment and provide an example to others. Living in this coastal area is a privilege but also a responsibility. Exmouth is already a popular destination for tourists and our economy is dependent on them. However, we could be doing more to attract "green tourism" and the Neighbourhood plan recognises this.

Recycling is one of my first passions and a catalyst in starting as a writer. I made a pledge at the start of 2017 that I would see how long I could go only buying products in recyclable packaging. I immediately failed at my next shopping trip - however I did not give up and two years on my family of four only produce two wheelie bins of rubbish a year. Part of this, to be honest, has been a complete rethink on my part about how to shop such as reducing the actual amount I buy and taking advantage of the opportunity to refill existing containers like washing up liquid at shops such as Exmouth's Mother Earth. However part of my waste reduction has been thanks to EDDCs developments and improvements in recycling and the range of materials I can now recycle (mostly conveniently with my weekly kerbside collection). The Neighbourhood Plan supports EDDCs existing strategies and the monitoring and management of inappropriate refuse and litter disposal in Exmouth. The plan recognises that Exmouth is generally a clean and tidy town but there are some commercial and, occasionally, residential areas in which rubbish is affecting the quality of the environment. As a coastal town, it is very easy for litter to enter the marine environment and then be eaten by fish or broken into microplastics which are now known to enter the human body as part of the food chain. This is not acceptable and the plan recognises this alongside the challenges some residents face with storing the 4 bins provided by EDDC for recycling and rubbish. All these environmental issues raised by Exmouth residents via the Neighbourhood Plan are valid and important for the health of the natural world including humans.”

If you, like Sarah, want to support the Exmouth Neighbourhood Plan then put March 21st in your diary. Exmouth needs your vote!