I have long believed – long before I became an MP – that plastic pollution is one of the gravest threats to our oceans, wildlife, and planet at large. Without urgent action to cut demand, it is estimated 34 billion tonnes of plastic will have been manufactured globally by 2050. I am determined that we should cut down on plastic waste as a society.
This is something I have campaigned on. As Cheltenham’s MP, I launched and led the “Final Straw” campaign in Cheltenham, calling on the Council and local businesses to eradicate single-use plastic straws from our town. In Parliament, I voted to ban plastic microbeads, the tiny plastics in face wash and other cosmetic products, which make their way into our seas. That is now law. In addition, the introduction of a plastic bag charge has led to 9 billion fewer carrier bags in circulation, a drop of 83 per cent.
Recycling is also critical. I have been campaigning for the introduction of a bottle deposit return scheme (DRS) in England. This would mean that people would pay a small extra charge on their bottled goods from supermarkets, as a deposit, and are then returned the amount upon the return of their used bottles in a ‘reverse-vending machine’. I was particularly pleased that the Queen’s Speech set out a national plan for such a scheme.
A little more on this below.
The Resources and Waste Strategy for England sets out the Government’s plan to reduce, reuse, and recycle more plastic than we do now. I am glad that ministers have committed to work towards all plastic packaging being recyclable or reusable by 2025.
The Government intends to go further to address the problem of plastic pollution. The Government recently launched a consultation on proposals to ban the supply of single-use plastic plates, cutlery, balloon sticks and polystyrene food and beverage containers. Ministers have also initiated proceedings to address other sources of plastic pollution, issuing a call for evidence on problematic plastic items such as wet wipes, tobacco filters, sachets, and single-use cups.
Furthermore, the Environment Act 2021 includes a raft of new powers to address plastic pollution and litter. The Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers will lead to billions more plastic bottles being recycled, rather than landfilled or littered. The Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging will make manufacturers responsible for the full net cost of recycling their packaging waste, encouraging more eco-friendly packaging.
In addition to these measures, the Act also establishes greater consistency in the recycling system and introduces new powers to make it easier to place charges on single-use plastic items that threaten ecosystems.
It is important that we promote UK-based recycling and export less waste to be processed abroad. I am therefore pleased that we are recycling more in the UK than ever before. This is not only good for the environment but can boost economic growth and create jobs.
Where the UK cannot currently recycle materials economically, exports can help ensure those materials are recycled in recipient countries. While there is a legitimate global market for secondary materials, it must be, and is, subject to strict controls.
As a minister, I am not able to sign up to specific initiatives such as the Big Plastic Count. But I am 100% supportive of the aims and motivations of this investigation and I wish you every success.