CHRISTIANS have been asked to ditch plastic cups for Lent. 

In calendar instructions issued this week for the start of Lent , the Church of England advised worshippers to give up single-use plastic items. 

The climate commandments came in a bid to “reduce the actions which damage God’s creation”.

One Swindon vicar told the Advertiser that she was strongly in favour of recycling – saying that her parish preferred mugs to plastic cups. 

Criticising today’s “throwaway” culture and citing the social aspect of washing up after church events, Reverend Barbara Sheppard said: “You can’t be on your phone and washing up at the same time.”

The latest calendar instructions, published online on Valentines Day, recommend using more long-lasting alternatives to everyday plastic items. 

Worshippers are offered a different tip for every day of Lent, ranging from using a bamboo toothbrush and razors with removable blades, to avoiding mini-bar snacks and drinks.

In the instruction, the Church says: “For Anglicans Lent is the time when we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, facing challenge and temptation.

“It is a time when we reflect on God’s purpose for our life. This year we challenge you to give up single-use plastics – to reduce the actions which damage God’s creation.”

Among the other pieces of advice parishioners have been given are:

  • “Try and cook as much as possible from scratch and take your own sandwiches when you go out”
  • Don’t buy new CDs and DVDs - stream shows on the internet instead
  • Share your leftovers or unwanted food with neighbours
  • Avoid foil-wrapped crisps and chocolates
  • Carry your own non-plastic cutlery in the car. 

Rev Sheppard, curate at All Saint’s, Ferndale, said that at her church they already avoided using single-use plastics: “If we have an event we use mugs and wash things up. We recycle as much as possible.

“It’s quite expensive to throw things away and I think we’re too much a throwaway society.

“There’s also the social side of it. If you’re all in the kitchen washing up, you’re socialising. You can’t be on your phone and washing up at the same time.”

Keen birdwatcher Richard Williams, who attends Westlea Church, said of the latest calendar instruction: “I think there are some brilliant and simple ideas here. 

“We are all guilty of the moral laziness of always seeking convenience but thankfully some influential organisations are waking up and it’s great that the Church is one of those taking a lead. It’s back to bars of soap rather than gel in the shower for me.”

Sophie Clark, environmental policy officer for the Church of England, said: “The Lent challenge is about raising our awareness of how much we rely on single-use plastics and challenging ourselves to see where we can reduce that use. 

“It ties in closely with our calling as Christians to care for God’s creation.”