Do you love the area you work in? Would you like to play a part in safeguarding its sustainable future and contributing towards the goal of making Yr Wyddfa the first plastic-free mountain in the world?
Can your business help turn an idea into reality?
Yr Wyddfa is the busiest mountain in Wales. Hundreds of thousands hike to this iconic summit each year. Litter is becoming a real threat to the mountain’s sustainable future and to tackle the situation, the National Park Authority are leading a campaign to make Yr Wyddfa the first plastic-free mountain in the world.
Your business can contribute towards turning that idea into a reality. The Authority are inviting businesses in Eryri to join the sustainability journey and become a Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa accredited business. The accessible, yet ambitious scheme will help your businesses progress on the Plastic Free Path.
Your business will be an accredited Gold ‘Copa’ business when 90% of your operations are plastic-free.
Your business will be an accredited Glaslyn ‘Silver’ business when 60% of your operations are plastic-free.
Your business will be an accredited Llydaw ‘Bronze’ business when 40% of your operations are plastic-free.
Many businesses around the Yr Wyddfa area have already been accredited and are making changes to their activity to contribute towards the sustainable future of the area.
Graig Wen, Dolgellau
Plas Coch Hotel, Llanberis
Crafnant House
Morlyn, Llandanwg
Plas Hafod, Nebo
Lodge Dinorwig Hostel, Dinorwig
Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis
Elen’s Castle Hotel, Dolwyddelan
Gallt Y Glyn Hostel, Llanberis
The Rocks, Capel Curig
Tŷ Mawr B&B and Tearoom, Rhyd Ddu
Snowdonia Holiday Lodges, Rhyd Ddu
The Lake View Hotel, Llanberis
Plas Tan Y Blwch, Maentwrog
National Trust Holiday Cottages
Rum Doodles, Llanberis
Becws Melyn, Llanberis
Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd
Glaslyn Pizzeria, Beddgelert
Gallt y Glyn Pizzeria, Llanberis
Caffi Gwynant, Nant Gwynant
Gelli, Penrhydeudraeth
Caffi Gorffwysfa, Pen y Pass
Snowdon Mountain Railway Hafod Eryri, Llanberis
25 businesses have now been accredited with a Plastic Free Award, here is what some of them say about the scheme.
“At our bed and breakfast guest house on the foothills of Yr Wyddfa, we believe in the beauty and preservation of the natural world around us. That’s why we’re committed to reducing our use of single-use plastics. By doing so, we can protect the stunning environment that our guests come to experience and help ensure its beauty lasts for future visitors to the area.
Every time we’ve done something to remove single-use plastics, it feels like we’ve improved the quality of what we do,”
—Fiona and Rob, Plas Coch Guesthouse, Llanberis
Copa ‘Gold’ Level
“Glaslyn Pizzeria and Gelateria is proud to have partnered with Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa as we share common objectives of promoting sustainable tourism and protecting the environment for future generations. We are committed to reducing our plastic waste and finding innovative ways to reduce our use of single use plastics.
We have taken several steps to reducing our environmental impact such as removing SUP and polysterene converting to a zero to landfill waste management company and selling drinks in cans rather than single use plastics bottles. We are planning to develop a range of reusable takeaway containers to further reduce waste and having achieve our Silver Status with working with Alec at the Eryri National Park to achieve the Gold (Copa) level.”
—Bonnie Rowley, Glaslyn Pizzeria, Beddgelert
Glaslyn ‘Silver’ Level
“We are excited to be a part of this scheme and to start on the Plastic Free Path with the Eryri National Park. We aim to play our part by raising awareness of the problem of plastics and general litter, and by reducing our use of single use plastics where feasible. The audit was straightforward, and it gave us a clear action plan of how we could become a more sustainable business!”
—Vince Hughes, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis
Aiming for Llydaw ‘Bronze’ Level
“We’ve been looking at how we can reduce our use plastic packaging in the hotel and our footprint generally for some time, so we have been working with local businesses such as Cole & Co. to achieve that goal. We’re therefore really pleased to be working with Alec to further our ambitions of being a sustainable provider, whilst having a direct impact on this beautiful part of the world! Our efforts have already been recognised with a Glaslyn (Silver) accreditation from the National Park and we look forward to moving further along the Plastic Free Path by the next time we’re audited!”
—Ann Owen, Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis
Glaslyn ‘Silver’ Level
Interested?
For more information on how your business can become an accredited Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa business, contact the National Park Authority’s Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa Officer.
Alec Young
Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa Officer, Snowdonia National Park Authority
alec.young@eryri.llyw.cymru
It’s free! There is no cost to participate in the scheme.
You’ll be required to run through a series of questions with the National Park Authority’s Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa Officer and you will be scored on how plastic-free your business currently is and how plastic-free you’d like your business to be by the next audit. After the audit you will be given an action plan to help you achieve your target score.
The audit takes approximately 30-45 mins depending on the complexity of your business.
The scheme has an accessible entry point with a score of 40% required to become a Llydaw (Bronze) level Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa business. It becomes progressively more challenging with a 90% score required to become a Copa (Gold) level business.
First and foremost, your business will be having a direct impact on the sustainable future of Yr Wyddfa and will contribute to a more sustainable and premium visitor economy in Eryri.
For taking part and gaining a score of 40% + you will receive a window sticker, certificate, and digital assets to be able to use on your social media channels. Your participation will also be promoted by the National Park Authority on our social media channels, website and any press coverage that may arise.
Your audit will take place in person, on your premises with the Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa Officer, who will provide advice, product guidance and tips around reducing our consumption single-use plastic and managing waste better. The Project Officer will be your central point of contact and will assist with any enquiries as we start along the Plastic Free Path.
Many of the action points in our business scheme don’t require any additional investment. Points can be scored in the scheme by tweaking business practices and engaging with customers on the key messages of Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa.
We will aim to audit businesses twice a year, with the aim of continually appraising and celebrating businesses’ efforts and progress on the Plastic Free Path.