NEP Connect are looking to help the unhoused population of Milton Keynes with their latest initiative: crisp packet blankets.

According to charity Shelter, 1 in 94 people in Milton Keynes are unhoused, leaving them subject to the elements each night. NEP Connect staff have been collecting their crisp packets in the office to recreate blankets similar to the foil ones that paramedics provide patients with.

Each blanket takes a couple of hours to make, ironing the crisps packets together fuses them into a blanket. Such blankets can retain up to 70% body heat for those that use them. So far NEP Connect have created four of these blankets, with each one consisting of around 80-90 individual packets.

“We have been handing these blankets out since last year, to individuals who have been willing to receive them in the local area. We want to give back to the community that we operate within…” said Niamh Goodridge, a Projects Coordinator at NEP Connect. “We don’t plan on stopping creating the blankets any time soon! Not only do the blankets help people that need them, but they give us an opportunity to re-purpose single-use plastic.”

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Goodridge is an environmental ambassador within the company and part of a bigger sustainability push from NEP Connect, who recently received their ISO 14001:2015 certification for Environmental Management. Initiatives such as these are part of the NEP Group’s wider commitment to sustainability under their global Project Earth initiative,as they commit to reduce their use of single use plastic.

What is Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation that is committed to working towards reduction in the use of single use plastic across the planet. Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.

Wasteful use of single-use plastic has been a moving part within western society and culture for decades. NEP Connect, along with its people, are looking to be part of the solution. NEP Connect are looking to contribute in as many ways as possible. Including using locally sourced, glass bottles of milk instead of plastic containers; providing staff with water bottles to refill, instead of throwing away plastic bottles; and having plastic free zones within onsite productions. Committing to sustainability is a number one priority. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle needs to become the new normal!