AN INDEPENDENT coffee shop has ditched all its single-use plastic items in a bid to cut down on damaging waste.

Inspired by David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II and its focus on sea-polluting materials, at the end of January Annie’s Coffee Shop stop using long-life plastics.

Now the Waltham Abbey store is using takeaway items made from plants, including wood pulp, sugar cane and corn starch.

Owner Claire Norman said: “Watching Blue Planet made me think about how much we use as company.

“Because we are small and independent, we can be reactive and proactive.

“It didn't take long to find a company that was already supplying companies with biodegradable cups.”

Despite Annie’s customers getting through 300 to 400 coffee cups a week, the price increase for sustainable items is negligible and will not be passed on to the public.

The business is also ditching plastic straws, which have a nasty habit of ending up in marine animals’ mouths and throats.

Ms Norman added: “Paper straws all the way.

“They are slightly more expensive but the more people buy them, the more the price comes down.

“We are a small family business and we care about the environment.”

When asked if Epping Forest District Council would or currently does back small businesses looking to cut their plastic consumption, a spokesperson said: “The council doesn’t have any schemes to get businesses to use biodegradable packaging.

“We would encourage businesses to recycle their waste and there is information on our website.”