An ecologist is urging Kingston Council to ban plastics at a south London cemetery due to their impact on the environment.
Alison Fure, 68, wants the use of plastic decorative items, including ornaments, artificial flowers, pots, windmills and cellophane wrappers, to be phased out at Kingston Cemetery, arguing that while often left with good intentions, microplastics can enter soil or waterways, like the neighbouring, Hogsmill River.
The council said plastic fencing is already banned and visitors are asked to remove cellophane wrappers from flowers at the Grade I Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
However, Alison said plastic, including cellophane, still ends up all over the cemetery and the amount has only increased over the years.
“You can see that the plastic is old and faded and broken and it’s bits of leaves, bits of stem, silk roses that have been there for years,” she said. “It’s just got out of hand.”
Her petition says that while the “cemetery should be a place of natural peace, dignity, and reflection… many areas are increasingly covered in cellophane wrappers, plastic plant pots, broken ornaments, artificial flowers, windmills, and general litter”.
It says this “accumulation not only detracts from the serenity of the grounds but also creates a massive environmental issue”.
The ecologist described how she had spent hours with her granddaughter picking up plastic litter from the cemetery, alongside other neighbours and environmental groups.
Alison said a change in policy to phase out the use of plastic decorative items at the cemetery would improve the serenity of the area, while protecting the environment and wildlife.
“You’ve got to make that start and, as I say, it’s getting worse rather than improving,” she said. “You’ve got to put the brakes on somewhere.”
Alison said this would bring the regulations in line with those enforced by other UK councils. In neighbouring borough Richmond, the council states it reserves the right to remove any plastic items from graves or memorials without notice.
Resident Damon Hart-Davis, 58, who is part of the Kingston Environment Forum (KEF), said he hoped the petition would push the council to strengthen its communication about plastic use in the cemetery and support staff to enforce the rules.
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Damon said: “I understand there’s lots and lots of points of view here. I think it’s important that people remember that the actions they do have consequences on others and fold that into their thinking when they’re trying to resolve their own wishes about what to do for their departed family members and so on.”
He added: “As a result of the petition, I hope the council feels its position is strengthened to move things a bit in the right direction.”
Alison’s petition has been signed by 60 people so far and runs until August 12. It can be viewed on the council’s website.
A Kingston Council spokesperson said: “Kingston Council remains committed to protecting the cemetery’s vital habitats as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. At the same time, we remain mindful that visitors often act according to their individual emotional state when commemorating loved ones.
“Our current regulations already restrict plastic fencing, and we display notices requesting that visitors remove cellophane wrappers from floral tributes. Staff are also instructed to remove any wrappers they see during their duties and following burial services.
“Those purchasing plots also receive correspondence advising them of these regulations and are signposted to full details on our website.
“Once the petition is closed, it will be considered in line with our petition scheme. As part of this process, we will look at strengthening our messaging both on our website and in direct correspondence.”
Alison will be outside the post box at the end of Castle Street, in Kingston, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on June 22 for people to view and sign the petition.