Single-use plastics will be reduced as much as possible in buildings used by the council.

Councillors agreed to use sustainable alternatives to plastic amid growing concerns over its environmental impact.

The move received unanimous backing from Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat members at a meeting of the policy and resources committee on Thursday (October 3).

Barnet Council has already ditched plastic cups in favour of sustainable alternatives at Hendon Town Hall and elsewhere.

Council leader Cllr Dan Thomas (Conservative) said the new council offices in Colindale contained “ceramic cups and glasses” instead of plastics.

The drive to minimise single-use plastics started off as a members’ item by Cllr Jo Cooper (Labour), East Barnet, which was considered by the environment committee in June.

At Thursday’s meeting, Cllr Peter Zinkin (Conservative), Childs Hill, pointed out it would be unrealistic to completely eliminate single-use plastics.

He said: “It is good to see how far we can go along that path. We need to understand that it’s a path, and it does not quite end at zero.”

The council will also undertake a review of its supply chain to ensure it minimises the use of single-use plastics in the services it buys in from contractors.