A GROUP of Exmoor youngsters have hit their target with a unique environmental project aimed at changing the community in which they live.
The ‘While We Still Can’ 12 to 16-year-olds have been running a pop up shop in Porlock since the beginning of November called ‘Down To Zero’.
But instead of selling products or services, the group filled the shop with 350 pieces of colourful single use plastic donated by villagers.
Each shop ‘customer’ was then encouraged to make a tailored pledge to break buying habits and reliance on single use plastics.
In return, the youngsters removed a piece of plastic from the shop for each pledge.
During Porlock’s late night shopping event on Saturday (December 9) the group received its 350th pledge and successfully became ‘plastic free’ an hour before closing.
In fact, the youngsters ended the night on minus 19, having acquired 19 more pledges than their target.
A crowd gathered in the street for the final countdown moment, accompanied by cheers and music from West Somerset Brass Band.
Immediately afterwards, the youngsters donned Santa outfits and celebrated by joining the annual Santa Dash through the village.
The ‘Down To Zero’ project represented months of hard work and belief as all the ideas stemmed from the young people themselves.
Lenny, aged 15, said: “It has been an incredible journey.
“We did not know if our 350 target was achievable, representing just over half the households in Porlock, but we have been blown away by the support we received from near and far.
“Once the word got out, the shop attracted not just locals but visitors from Minehead, Bristol, and even London.”
Fifteen-year-old Ethan said: “Popular pledges included promises to take items to Repair Cafes, visiting Our Precious Earth zero-waste shop in Minehead, and switching from throwaway coffee cups to reusable ones, which account for only two per cent of sales in the UK.”
Inspired by the group, a Cornish manufacturer gifted 250 reusable cups, which meant a local Porlock coffee shop, The Big Cheese, also became ‘plastic free’ for the duration of the project, giving 10 per cent discounts to customers using the cups.
Initially supported by Porlock-based arts organisation Stacked Wonky and Somerset Wildlife Trust, ‘While We Still Can’ attracted new partners along the way, including Plastic Free Exmoor, Good Vibe Veg, and Our Precious Earth, each offering equipment, sustainable products, and expertise to help the shop become a fascinating mixture of information and objects.
Two local gardeners gave wheelbarrows full of plants to replace the plastic, ultimately turning the shop into a mini-jungle.
Stacked Wonky artistic director Sarah Shorten said: “The project has been a joyful learning experience exceeding everybody’s expectations.
“Clearly, young people are powerful influencers when it comes to the environment but more so, they created a welcoming talking place for people of all ages where similarities and differences could be sensitively discussed.
“Each has grown in stature and should be incredibly proud.”
Wildlife trust Wilder Coast project manager Mark Ward said: “With another year of funding for this group, we are looking forward to seeing the shop being replicated, given interest from other towns, as well as bright, new ideas propelled by the young people.
“They are inspirational and true ambassadors for change.
The youngsters are continuing to evaluate the pledges made and their progress can be followed via www.facebook.com/WWSCofficial and on Twitter and Instagram @WhileWeStillCan.
New members aged 12 to 18 years are welcome to join the group by emailing [email protected].