Hitchin is one of hundreds of Plastic Free Communities throughout the country, from Orkney to the Scilly Isles, accredited by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) aiming to turn the tide on needless waste.

Each year, in order to measure our growth, SAS helps these communities to measure their impact through a survey to help us see our strengths but also where they can focus efforts over the next year.

Plastic Free Hitchin is hugely proud that of the many communities Hitchin won the prize for the third highest number of responses.

This shows us just how engaged the people of Hitchin are in ridding our beautiful town of unnecessary waste.

"A problem on such a titanic scale can seem daunting and overwhelming and even more so in isolation," Plastic Free Hitchin explained..

"That is why it's so exciting to see so many people locally involved. Almost 70 per cent of those who responded were individuals - the others being businesses and schools - and 60 per cent of participants said that as a result of being a part of the campaign they felt more connected to the Hitchin community - 56 per cent even said that this engagement made them feel more satisfied with life.

"This connection clearly empowered those involved as another 60 per cent said that they had also taken action on other environmental and sustainability issues. While 80 per cent of respondents said they had taken action to reduce single-use plastics whilst the average single-use plastic reduction of those who took action was a whopping 92 per cent."

But that's not even the greatest statistic: From the information inputted by respondents, the estimated number of single-use plastic items removed was 44,340.

The survey showed that the challenges to removing single-use waste in Hitchin reflect those nationwide. 35 per cent stated that plastic-free alternatives are not available for some products and also said that the higher cost of alternative products was a problem – not surprising in the current cost-of-living crisis.

Plastic Free Hitchin added: "Still, the UK is the biggest producer of waste per head of any country in the world other than the US. Joining an international trend to tackle plastic pollution, new legislation will see many items of single-use plastic be banned in England from October, after similar moves already having been made in Scotland and Wales.

"This sort of legislation only happens because of pressure from a national network of local communities, such as Plastic Free Hitchin.

"Thank you so much to all those who supported the initiative and spared their precious time to take part in the survey."