Gary Barlow has promised not to use confetti cannons after being criticised by environmental campaigners for firing the tiny pieces of plastic during a concert at the Eden Project.

The environmental attraction in Cornwall is running a campaign against single-use plastics and has banned the sale of plastic water bottles and similar items in its shops. But the singer-songwriter went off-message during his appearance on 6 June, when the crowd was showered with ticker tape.

Gary Barlow (@GaryBarlow) Apologies to @edenproject for firing our confetti cannons. I hope this doesn’t mean we won’t be asked back? We’ve cancelled all ticker tape at outdoor shows because the reality is, beyond the effect it just turns into litter 👎

The apology followed criticism from Cornwall Against Single-Use Plastic, a campaign group, which told Barlow: “I was appalled to see plastic confetti littering the Eden Project after your last gig there. What on earth was a plastic confetti canon doing there? In a place such as the Eden, who are working so hard at getting rid of [single use] plastics.”

The Eden Project has not commented. But in an announcement five days before the concert, a spokesperson for the venue said it was taking steps to “drastically reduce single-use plastic across all its operations”.



The venue said it would be “withdrawing single-use plastic cups and introducing reusable cups” for the event last week.

It has also halted the sale of water in plastic bottles in its cafes, restaurants and shop, increased the number of free water taps in public areas from 10 to 15, and ensured sandwiches and other food items are wrapped in paper.

Gordon Seabright, the Eden Project chief executive, said: “Single-use plastic is a great scourge of the modern age, polluting our oceans and causing massive problems for life at sea and on land. We believe with all the steps we have been and are taking, we can help make a difference.

“Since the Eden Project began, we have been working with our partners to look at smarter ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and reinvest. For example, 100% of leftover food is composted.”

Barlow was the first artist to be announced for the Eden Project’s series of outdoor gigs this summer.