War on plastic continues as UK’s biggest retailers sign up to ambitious plan to BAN 8 throwaway products by the end of next year
- Deadline agreed to by dozens of companies who signed up to the Plastics Pact
- Would drastically cut the amount of plastic pollution being produced by firms
- Includes plastic cutlery, polystyrene packaging, cotton buds and stirrers
- Straws, disposable plastic plates and bowls and PVC packaging finish the list
Britain should eradicate eight major contributors to plastic pollution by the end of next year, a report signed by the UK’s major retailers claims.
The list includes notorious single-use plastics such as disposable plastic cutlery, polystyrene packaging, plastic cotton buds and hot drink stirrers.
It also includes ‘oxo-degradables’ – which break down to create microplastics – such as plastic straws, disposable plastic plates and bowls and PVC packaging.
The 2020 deadline has been agreed to by dozens of companies who signed up to the UK Plastics Pact, waste reduction body Wrap said.
A further list of 19 items was included to be ‘actively investigated’ resulting in either avoidance, re-use, re-design or recycling or composting by 2025.
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Britain should eradicate eight major contributors to plastic pollution by the end of next year, a report signed by the UK’s major retailers claims
The 2020 deadline has been agreed to by dozens of companies who signed up to the UK Plastics Pact, waste reduction body Wrap said. it includes plastic disposable cutlery (pictured)
A further list of 19 items was included to be ‘actively investigated’ resulting in either avoidance, re-use, re-design or recycling or composting by 2025. Plastic swabs (pictured) make the list of eight to be eradicated by next year
WHAT EIGHT ITEMS COULD BE ELIMINATED BY 2020?
Plastic bottle tops and caps, single-use drinks bottles, non-recyclable coloured plastics, fruit and vegetable punnets, internal plastic trays such as those used in premium biscuits and single-use plastic cups and lids are also on the ‘actively investigated’ list, as are teabags.
Wrap director Peter Maddox said: ‘We know that more people than ever are concerned about the impact of plastics.
‘The fundamental way industry can support this public desire is by addressing the issues that lead to plastic packaging being problematic.
‘So, for every item of packaging, we need to consider whether plastic is the right material choice, or indeed if packaging is required at all.
‘In many cases, plastic may be the best material choice from an environmental perspective. In these cases, we need to ensure that the plastic can be and is recycled.
‘The items listed today are priorities for UK Plastics Pact members, and the onus is on those members to implement changes, urgently.’
Wrap said its approach expected the government outlawing of certain items.
The UK Government’s ban on straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds combed with the European Union’s Single Use Plastic Directive, which additionally targets polystyrene food containers and single-use plastic cutlery and plates, makes up the majority of the list.
Under the pact, the businesses have also agreed targets to make all of their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable.
Members, which include major food and drink brands, supermarkets, manufacturers, retailers and plastic re-processors, will also ensure that there is an average 30 per cent recycled content across plastic packaging by 2025.
Wrap, which is leading the pact, said the businesses involved are responsible for more than 80 per cent of the plastic packaging on products sold through British supermarkets.
In addition, 15 other organisations, including the British Retail Consortium and the Food and Drink Federation, have signed up to support the targets.
The UK Government’s ban on straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds combed with the European Union’s Single Use Plastic Directive, which additionally targets polystyrene food containers and single-use plastic cutlery and plates (pictured), makes up the majority of the list
Wrap, which is leading the pact, said the businesses involved are responsible for more than 80 per cent of the plastic packaging on products sold through British supermarkets, including polystyrene containers (pictured)
WHAT 19 ITEMS ARE ON THE ‘ACTIVELY INVESTIGATED’ LIST?
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