A long-time campaigner against plastic use is celebrating a Honiton eatery’s decision to reduce the amount of disposable coffee cups it offers to its customers.

Town councillor Caroline Kolek has hailed Boston Tea Party’s move as ‘excellent news’.

The popular chain recently announced plans to ban disposable coffee cups in its cafes from June 1 this year.

Instead, the company has teamed up with Ecoffee, which makes re-usable coffee cups from natural bamboo fibre, to sell their products at a subsidised rate.

At a council meeting last October, members resolved to explore ways of reducing use of single use plastics in Honiton’ by working with businesses and the town’s Chamber of Commerce.

Cllr Kolek said: “The news from Boston Tea Party regarding the ditching of disposable cups is excellent.

“I know lots of local people who will want to support this.

“Many local cafes have stopped using plastic straws and plastic cutlery provided with carry out food, this is an excellent step by the Boston Tea Party as these cups are difficult to recycle.

“Our community needs to come together in addressing our growing plastic problem.

“It is imperative for our environment, our wildlife and for future generations.”

Boston Tea Party’s move follows that of another business in Honiton.

Porkies Butchers, in New Street, announced in January this year that it is replacing plastic packaging with paper products at his shop – even though it costs more.

Owner Laurie Spencer said he took the decision with his daughter’s future in mind.

His store now sells paper ‘Sealed and Fresh’ bags, which he says work just as well as existing biodegradable packaging.

Porkies also sells a paper carrier bag for six pence.

Speaking to the Herald this week, Laurie said: “It has been going really well - the reaction from customers has been great.”

According to Greenpeace, an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic – everything from plastic bottles and bags to microbeads – end up in the world’s oceans each year - the equivalent of a truck-load of rubbish per minute.

The charity is calling on big corporations to act to reduce their plastic footprint as part of a worldwide campaign to end the flow of plastic into oceans.