A WATERSPORTS business is the latest to be praised for reducing its use of plastic.

Boylo’s Watersports in Lyme Regis has been awarded the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Champions award.

The team at the seafront shop on Marine Parade have installed led lights and sensors to save energy, they only use a small energy efficient heater in the winter, and they do not supply plastic bags to customers, instead using paper bags for purchases and orders.

They say the biggest struggle in their fight against plastic has been their suppliers as products they receive come wrapped in plastic. To try and combat this they send emails and pictures of the plastic packaging to the suppliers and, where they can, send the plastic back.

As much as possible they try to partner with environmentally-minded brands, with a large amount of their clothing being organic cotton and some made from recycled plastics.

Izzy Sibley, of Boylo’s Watersports, said: “Over the last few months we have tried to analyse all aspects of our business, to see where we can reduce our footprint and have made a commitment to run as sustainably as possible. We are hoping this inspires other businesses to consider doing the same.

“We have recently been awarded with the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Champion award for our efforts and we couldn’t be more stocked.

“We have also been hugely supported by our local Plastic Free Lyme Regis group who have been a huge encouragement.

“We are always checking out ways we can be even greener. In the coming months we are hoping to replace our diesel van with an electric car for all our business-related trips to help reduce our carbon footprint.

“We know that even though our changes are small, we can make a huge difference.

“If you are looking at ways of becoming greener in your business, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we would love to share some of the tips and tricks we have learnt.”

For more information on the steps the team has taken to stamp out plastic, visit www.boylos.co.uk