Tag: plastic pollution

“Nae Plastics, Ta”: People in Fife and Edinburgh send message to international negotiators

Around the Firth of Forth, people have come together to spell out messages calling for an end to plastic pollution as Global Plastics Treaty negotiations take place in Geneva. The groups have taken this action to send a message to the UK representatives that they want them to support a strong agreement that protects people and nature.

In Dalgety Bay, Fife, locals created a distinctly Scottish message by lying down on the beach to spell out “Nae plastics, ta” in the sand. Volunteers from the Plastic-Free Scotland Communities networks in South Queensferry and Dunfermline also created messages supporting a strong treaty.

The Firth of Forth is a hotspot for plastic pollution in the form of plastic pellets which have escaped from nearby production processes. In Scotland, efforts to reduce plastic pollution have so far failed to curb its harmful impacts. Single use plastic bans have not been enforced, and efforts to increase recycling have stalled.

Globally, the massive increase in plastic production, use and disposal has created a crisis as people struggle to cope with the health and environmental impacts created. There is growing evidence that microplastics and chemicals within plastic products are harming our health. Plastics also harm marine animals and contribute to climate breakdown as nearly all plastics are made of fossil fuels.

The solution requires an international agreement to change the way plastics are used for good. The final stage of the Global Plastics Treaty is currently taking place in Geneva. These talks are seen by many involved in the UN process as the last opportunity to reach an agreement after three years of negotiations. With unresolved issues, such as whether the treaty should have binding targets to reduce plastic production, it remains unclear if governments will reach an agreement.

Similar messages of support for the treaty have been created across the world, from Malaysia to Armenia, South Korea and Canada, showing the international support for a future free from plastic pollution.

Kim Blasco from Plastic-Free Dalgety Bay said: “The communities of the Inner Forth are confronted with plastic pollution on a daily basis, whether it be the nurdles blighting our beaches that have been irresponsibly allowed to escape into the environment by the nearby petrochemical facility, the sewage-related debris swilling around in our waters and carpeting our shores, or the vast numbers of single-use plastic bottles and wrappers carelessly tossed into the environment where they can remain for hundreds of years.

“Our plastic-free communities try to get as much as possible of this pollution off our beaches, but it’s a thankless task – as anyone who has ever tried to clean up the likes of nurdles and cotton bud sticks knows. It’s like trying to mop the bathroom floor when the tub is overflowing because you left the tap running – you’ll never stop mopping if you don’t turn the tap off first.

“We need the Global Plastics Treaty to turn the tap off by agreeing targets to reduce plastic production. The petrochemical industry has profited for far too long from the plastic-isation of the economy, with single-use plastics that we don’t want or need. The treaty can be an important step towards stopping this environmental and public health disaster.”

Janet Thomas, from Plastic-Free Queensferry, said: “In 2024, South Queensferry was named as the most beautiful town in Scotland. However, in common with other beaches around the Forth, we are drowning in plastic – the same tourists who enjoy our wonderful town leaving behind all types of litter.

“We need to stop the litter at source – and that’s where the Global Plastics Treaty comes in. We must end the world’s reliance on single use plastic that pollutes for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics and entering our food chain. The time to act is now and we call on the world’s governments to take a principled stand against the tide of plastic that is overwhelming our planet.”

Kim Pratt, senior campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “People in Scotland are joining the growing chorus of voices from across the world calling for an end to harmful plastic pollution.

“The plastic crisis has been created by greedy corporations, willing to put profit before people’s health and the protection of nature and the environment. Now governments must listen to their citizens and come together to hold corporations to account.

“A strong treaty is a vital part of tipping the balance away from corporate power and towards people and nature. As well as supporting international efforts to curb plastic pollution, the Scottish Government must act now to reduce the damage done by plastic here, including standing up to big businesses and getting them to pay for the cleanup of the plastic products they sell.”

Made up of 11 communities across Scotland, the Plastics-Free Scotland Communities network is fighting back against plastic pollution from the Clyde to the Northwest Coast, the Outer Hebrides, the Moray Firth and the Firth of Forth.

Protesters demand action on plastic pollution ahead of Treaty negotiations

  • Communities will unite on Saturday 19 July to take a stand against the Government’s inaction on plastic pollution 
  • Protests and beach cleans will be taking place across the UK as part of a National Day of Action organised by Surfers Against Sewage 

Campaigners and the community in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh are rallying in a National Day of Action against plastic pollution this Saturday, 19 July.  

The Surfers Against Sewage “The People vs Plastic” campaign will see protestors descend on the UK’s beaches, city streets and everywhere in between to send a clear message: the government must act decisively  to tackle plastic pollution at its source, to position the UK as a global leader in the fight against single-use plastics. 

Locations and timings of protests in Scotland are as follows:  

·       Craws Nest, Stonehaven Beach, Aberdeenshire 10:00 

·       Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, 13:00 

The campaign aims to ramp up the pressure on Government ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, reconvening in Geneva from 5-14 August.

Earlier talks collapsed in South Korea, last year, with countries failing to agree on reducing plastic production.  Campaigners say that a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty is urgently needed to cut pollution at its source and protect blue spaces.     

Ahead of the National Day of Action, communities from coast to city will host grassroots events, from “Trash Mobs” in local schools to community-led cleans, building momentum for the nationwide protest.

Data will be collected during the community cleans, which will help Surfers Against Sewage map the true scale of plastic pollution, and name the brands and retailers most to blame. 

The public can get involved by heading to the Surfers Against Sewage website to find a local protest to join or show support during the Week of Action by getting involved with a local Plastic Free Community close to home. 

Communities and schools are at the forefront of Surfers Against Sewage’s campaign against plastic, with over 400 active Plastic Free Communities and over 3,000 Plastic Free Schools leading the way in the fight against plastic in their local area. So far in 2025, over 88,000 people have taken part in over 3,600 local cleans, collecting over 40,000kg of rubbish, as part of the charity’s Million Mile Clean initiative. 

Marion Montgomery, Surfers Against Sewage representative and Stonehaven Beach protest organiser said: “In Stonehaven, we’re organising ‘Save our Seas from Plastic’ protest along with a beach clean and sandcastle competition.

“We’re demanding real action against the producers of the huge amounts of plastic packaging which inevitably ends up polluting our ocean and coastlines. To avoid future carnage, we need tighter restrictions against ‘new’ things, like single use vapes, being put on sale to the public.” 

Surfers Against Sewage is calling on the UK Government to deliver on the goals of the Global Plastics Treaty immediately through joined up and ambitious national plans to end plastic pollution, including: 

·       Setting legally-binding targets to cut plastic pollution 

·       Implementing an effective circular economy centred on reuse and refill, including the implementation of a comprehensive Deposit Return Scheme and introduction of binding reuse targets 

·       Holding polluters to account by enforcing current laws and delivering Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that make polluters pay. 

Giles Bristow, Chief Executive at Surfers Against Sewage said: “Broken promises, stalled progress, surging pollution. We are drowning in the toxic tide of plastic that continues to rise.

“Enough is enough, so we are rising up too. As families pack their buckets and spades and the summer holidays begin, there’s no better time to shine a light on the plastics choking our shores. The UK remains one of the worst offenders for generating single-use waste that travels the globe, and our government is still dawdling on action. 

“We’re sick to death of plastic-pushing corporations fuelling this crisis while spinning greenwashing lies and pointing the finger at consumers. They churn out mountains of non-recyclable packaging, sabotage vital policies behind closed doors, and consistently miss every voluntary target. The Labour government pledged us a zero-waste future, we’re all ears, but we won’t settle for anything less. 

“That’s why, on Saturday 19 July we’re calling on Ocean Activists from Penzance to Porthcawl and everywhere in between to make their voices heard.

“Whether you’re clearing your favourite beach or marching through city streets, communities hold the power to drive change. With Global Plastics Treaty negotiations just around the corner, we must turn up the heat.

“Together, we can become a force impossible for leaders, and polluters, to ignore.” 

Protest locations and National Week of Action information can be found on the Surfers Against Sewage website.

Following the protest, the charity is encouraging people to sign a petition to put pressure on the Government to tackle the problem. For more information, visit the campaign web page here. 

Ban on wet wipes containing plastic moves closer

Progress towards protecting Scottish waters

Wet wipes containing plastic could be banned as part of proposals to tackle plastic and microplastic pollution.

The consultation, which is being undertaken by all four UK nations, seeks views on a proposed ban on the manufacture, supply and sale of plastic-containing wet wipes across the UK.

Wet wipes containing plastic break down into microplastics over time, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Banning these products would help alleviate this issue, as well as reducing the volume of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants when wrongly flushed.

The consultation comes in response to public calls for action to tackle plastic pollution in waterways, and widespread support for the proposed ban.  

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “This is very welcome progress towards a goal we all want to achieve: tackling plastic pollution.

“Wet wipes containing plastic are an avoidable and yet a growing source of beach litter. They are unsightly; they pose risks to the environment and wildlife; and annually they contribute to around 36,000 sewer system blockages in Scotland, risking flooding and costing approximately £7 million to clear.

“This is only the first step: legislation alone cannot solve this issue and we all need to be more careful about what we flush. We continue to support Scottish Water’s ‘Nature Calls’ campaign highlighting the impact of inappropriately-flushed items and the damage they cause to our environment.

“We have already successfully delivered a ban on other single-use plastic products such as straws and cutlery – which also contribute to marine litter. This will deliver on a commitment made in our Marine Litter Strategy and is another important step on our journey towards a truly circular economy.”  

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: How recycling metal can benefit us all and help reduce plastic pollution

 USING more recycled metal can massively help to beat plastic pollution, one of the country’s leading recycling associations says today. 

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) is urging people celebrating World Environment Day to stop and think about the reasons why recycling more metal can make a real difference. 

As part of an awareness-drive, the BMRA also shared ten benefits of recycling metal which comes as rising numbers of people switch to reusable containers, such as drinks flasks for hot and cold drinks and as others make the move from plastic bottles to metal cans. 

James Kelly, the CEO of the BMRA said: “This World Environment Day, the BMRA is asking people to take a moment and think: What is the alternative? Do I need to buy this? And can it be easily recycled?

“Aluminium drinks cans, for example, are part of a closed loop recycling system. As long as they are placed in the recycling, they can be back in the shops as a new can in as little as 60 days. 

“Even by carrying a metal straw or your food in a metal container, it means that the item can be used many times over and recycled at the end of its useful life. 

He continued: “Any initiative that educates people, that asks them to consider the most sustainable alternative and shows them how to ensure it is recycled correctly is welcomed. We all play a part, but there needs to be greater opportunity for recycling and disposal of waste, not just in the home, but when people are out and about. 

“Due to metals’ 100% recyclability, we are using World Environment Day to remind people why they should recycle their metal.” 

Meanwhile, the BMRA says it would also like a deposit return scheme to use a variable rate, instead of the fixed rate of 20p proposed for all container sizes whether plastic, glass or metal.

Mr Kelly added: “A fixed-rate deposit scheme could see consumers favour plastic bottles over metal cans, which could potentially see a rise in plastic pollution which is completely against the ethos of World Environment Day.”

Outlining ten reasons to recycle metal the BMRA said:

  1. About 80% of all the known chemical elements in the world are categorised as metals. Metal comes from the Earth. Let’s try and keep it there.
  2. Metal is 100% recyclable. It is permanent, and it can be recycled forever, over and over again. It contributes to the Circular Economy, avoiding landfill, as well as saving the destruction of natural habitats caused by the mining of metal ore.
  3. Recycling one tonne of steel can save one and half tonnes of iron ore from being mined. Iron is a metal, but steel is a man-made alloy. Steel is made by mixing iron and carbon together. 
  4. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (known as WEEE) generally covers products that have a plug or need a battery, such as fridges, vacuum cleaners, and computer equipment. As funny as that acronym is, it is important WEEE is recycled correctly. Not only does WEEE contain metal, but it can also contain lithium and lithium-ion batteries that are incredibly dangerous. If they are damaged, the batteries can cause fires. 
  5. The metal in your mobile phone could be recycled into an Olympic medal. Tokyo’s Olympic medals were made from 78,985 tons of recycled electronic devices, including mobile phones. It can contain gold, lithium, aluminium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc. One tonne of smartphones can contain 300 times more gold than one tonne of gold ore.
  6. You can get paid for your scrap metal. Ensuring you have the appropriate identification, you can go to a metal recycler and be paid by BACS, cheque or eTransfer. Cash for your scrap is illegal, however, so do report it if you are offered it.  
  7. Recycling steel uses 70% less energy than mining and refining ore. Steel is the most widely used metal. It is easily identifiable as it is magnetic and can be easily separated from general waste. It is used to make many different items including cars, bridges, and playpark equipment. 
  8. Recycling metal avoids sending a permanent material to landfill. There is a process called urban mining, whereby materials like metal and WEEE previously discarded in general waste, can be reclaimed from the ground. While this ensures even more metal can be recycled, it is easier. cheaper and safer to recycle it correctly first time. 
  9. Recycling metal emits 80% less CO2 than production from raw materials. It is credentials like this that make metals recycling a key driver in the Government achieving its net zero targets. 
  10. An aluminium drinks can can be back on the shelf of a supermarket as a new drinks can, 60 days after it was originally bought. Aluminium can also be used for aeroplane parts, a beer keg or foil for your lunchtime sandwich. 

UK strengthens pledge to end plastic pollution by 2040

UK signs Ministerial Statement calling for an ambitious global plastic pollution treaty to tackle plastic pollution and protect the marine environment

The UK, alongside 52 other members of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to End Plastic Pollution, has signed a far-reaching Ministerial Statement, calling for an ambitious global plastic pollution treaty to tackle plastic pollution and protect the marine environment.

The HAC is a coalition of over 50 governments that have since agreed to end plastic pollution by 2040.

The Joint Ministerial Statement, published yesterday, calls for a range of mandatory provisions to be included in the global plastic pollution treaty, currently under negotiation.

These include reducing the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers to sustainable levels; eliminating and restricting unnecessary, avoidable or problematic plastics, chemicals and products; and eliminating the release of plastics into nature, amongst others.

The statement comes ahead of the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) taking place in Paris next week and sets out the HAC’s key ambitions for INC-2, taking the UK one step further towards the ambition of ending plastic pollution by 2040.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats that we currently face and is interlinked with climate change and biodiversity loss. This Joint Ministerial Statement builds on the UK government’s commitment to help to develop an ambitious, international legally binding treaty that demands urgent action on plastics and drives forward our mission to protect at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Plastic pollution continues to have a devastating effect on our world’s ocean, people and the wider environment. That’s why it’s more important than ever to step up, take action and drive forward the change needed to bring an end to plastic pollution globally.

“I am proud to be amongst other HAC members signing this statement that calls for ambitious new measures within the global plastics treaty and look forward to some productive and high-reaching discussions in the upcoming INC-2 meeting in Paris.”

The HAC statement builds on the UK’s wider commitments and work to protect and enhance the marine environment.

Earlier this year, delivering on the Environmental Improvement Plan the government announced the designation of the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas in English waters and launched a consultation on proposed management measures for sandeel fishing with the aim to reduce further negative impacts on important marine biodiversity.

Building on our existing single-use plastic bans and carrier bag charge, the Government is introducing further bans from October on a range of single-use plastic items – including plates, cutlery, balloon sticks and expanded and extruded polystyrene drinks containers. In April, we also announced that we will ban the sale of wet wipes containing plastic subject to public consultation.

The INC- 2 meeting taking place in Paris is the second out of five sessions with United Nations member states. A global plastic pollution treaty is hoped to be finalised by the end of 2024.

UK backs ambitious global action to tackle plastic pollution

The UK provided support to kick start negotiations on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution at the United Nations Environment Assembly.

Plastic cup on a beach

As the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in Nairobi draws to a close, the UK has worked with international partners to secure a breakthrough on negotiations to kickstart a new legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.

While the terms of the treaty are still to be negotiated it could include measures that promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics, as well as more environmentally sound waste management.

It is also hoped it will help tackle marine plastic pollution, one of the greatest global environmental challenges. It’s predicted that unless action is taken there will be a threefold increase in the amount of plastic flowing into the ocean between 2016 and 2040.

This comes as our landmark Environment Act gives us a raft of new powers to step-up our war against plastic pollution. We are also committed to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which will recycle billions more plastic bottles and stop them being landfilled or littered.

At the conference, which was attended by the Lord Zac Goldsmith, UK Government Minister for International Environment, the UK provided support to kick start negotiations on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.

The UK has also supported other ambitious action, including on:

  • Establishing an intergovernmental Science Policy Panel to conduct horizon scanning, assess current issues and facilitate communication between scientists and policy makers
  • Agreeing on the importance of nature-based solutions and on actions to scale up their implementation to simultaneously provide benefits to people and the planet.

Lord Zac Goldsmith, UK Government Minister for International Environment said: “This agreement by governments at UNEA is truly historic, and I’m so proud that the UK co-sponsored the proposals and helped get them over the line.

“In the space of just one human lifetime, we have caused unimaginable damage to the global environment, choking every single part of the global ocean with plastic pollution. And although there is much to be done now to turn it into an ambitious and far-reaching treaty, we can now begin to close this ugly chapter. I am so grateful to UK negotiators for their fantastic work securing agreement this week.”

While there are multilateral agreements to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change, up to now there has been no equivalent agreement to tackle plastic pollution.

The resolution, proposed by Peru and Rwanda, had received strong support and was backed by over 60 countries.

The plans have also received considerable support from the private and third sector with 111 organisations having signed The Business Call for a UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, P&G and Unilever.

The resolution titled “End plastic pollution: towards a legally binding international instrument” establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with preparing a new treaty that would address plastic pollution through a life-cycle approach, with the aim of producing the treaty by 2024.

The UK was also a key proponent of plans for a new science-policy panel to contribute to policy making on the sound management of chemicals and waste, and preventing pollution. This will act in a similar way to the IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which provides advice to governments on the scientific consensus on climate science.

This new science-policy panel will produce assessments on current issues; identify possible future risks and opportunities and provide up-to-date and relevant information, promoting effective communication between scientists and policy makers.

The UK has made nature a top priority during our COP26 Presidency year alongside strong action on cutting emissions. The UK has continued to drive international support for nature-based solutions that address biodiversity loss, climate change and poverty, co-sponsoring a resolution on their benefits and how to scale them up.

Viridor Recycling Index: Edinburghers are keen to be green!

  • 92% of Glaswegians say the UK should deal with its own recycling rather than exporting it – up 12pts from 2018; 88% of those in Edinburgh agree
  • 80% of Glaswegians and 77% of people in Edinburgh are calling for a consistent recycling collection system across the UK – Glasgow is up 8pts from 2018
  • 74% of Glaswegians and 73% surveyed in Edinburgh think not enough is being done about plastic pollution in their local community; higher than the total UK score of 68%
  • 32% of those in Glasgow think that even though people separate their general waste and recyclable waste, it all goes to the same place – 9pt reduction on 2018
  • 63% of people in Edinburgh and 60% of Glaswegians say they are more likely to buy products with recyclable packaging – Glasgow up 11pts from 2018;
  • 82% of people in Edinburgh and 77% of Glaswegians feel there should be mandatory lessons on recycling in schools

Viridor has announced results from its fourth annual Recycling Index survey which tracks public behaviour to recycling, focusing on different regions across the UK.

The UK results find that 85% believe the UK should recycle and reprocess plastic waste at home. This statistic has risen by five points since Viridor’s 2018 index.

Viridor, the biggest UK-owned recycling company, has announced that all of its recyclable plastic waste will be reprocessed in the UK from next year as part of the company’s recycling investment programme, a move welcomed by Scotland’s biggest cities*.

With the successful commissioning of its new £65m plastics reprocessing plant at Avonmouth, near Bristol, in 2020 – the UK’s biggest multi-polymer facility – Viridor will create new raw materials, ready to be reused by packaging manufacturers in flake and pellet form from all its core recyclable materials collected in the UK.

Staying true to its namesake as the ‘dear, green place’, 92% of Glaswegians believe the UK should deal with its own plastic waste rather than exporting it, up 12 points from 2018. Edinburgh, surveyed for the first time this year, saw 88% of respondents agreeing with this statement.

In what could be a direct result of the so-called David Attenborough ‘Blue Planet’ effect, Scots are leading the charge in the war against plastic. Three quarters of Glaswegians (74%) and 73% of people in Edinburgh want more to be done about plastic pollution in their local community; this is higher than the total UK score of 68%.

Commenting on the plastics reprocessing plant in Avonmouth, Viridor Managing Director Phil Piddington said that, crucially, this demonstrated that plastic need not be considered a single use item, with reprocessing allowing it to be put back into the economy in a process which uses 50% less energy than virgin plastic.

Sustainability charity WRAP identifies these core plastics as HDPE (plastic bottles, including milk bottles, shampoo bottles and other household items, such as cleaning products), PET (fizzy drink and water bottles) and PP (pots, tubs and trays).

The UK Plastics Pact, of which Viridor was a founding member, has made the removal of unrecyclable plastics a key focus over the coming year. It says that as far as possible, by the end of this year, Pact members should remove polystyrene and PVC from food packaging and, by the end of 2020, they should be eradicated from non-food products.

Closer to home, Viridor has invested £477m in Scotland in the past five years across its sites including Polmadie, Dunbar and Bargeddie. This includes the recently opened Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre which will divert over 200,000 tonnes of the city’s waste from landfill, generating enough electricity to power almost 26,500  homes.

In line with delivering a zero waste, circular economy, the Dunbar Energy Recovery Facility will convert post-recycling ‘residual waste’ from landfill into enough energy to power over 70,600 homes.

The Index reveals that 80% of those surveyed in Glasgow are calling for a consistent recycling collection system across the UK, up 8 points from 2018. Whilst 63% of those in Edinburgh and one in six (60%) Glaswegians are more likely to buy products with recyclable packaging, an 11 point increase.

There’s a move from those in the east towards favouring a grassroots approach to recycling with 82% of people in Edinburgh calling for mandatory lessons on recycling in schools; this is significantly higher than the total UK score (76%).

The Index finds that trust is growing in Glasgow, with only 32% believing that everything goes to the same place despite separating general waste and recyclable waste. This is a 9 point reduction on 2018 and lower than the UK average of 39%.

However, Glaswegians have indicated they would welcome being given more information on how and what to recycle, with only 39% saying they are provided with enough information at present. This differs from Edinburgh where 44% are confident with the information supplied.

Mr Piddington, who is also Chairman of the trade body the Environmental Services Association, said: “The 2019 Index results show that the people of Glasgow and Edinburgh are engaged and active in the campaign against single-use plastic, helping to safeguard the environment for future generations.

“This is exemplified by the recent official opening of the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre which will help the city to achieve its circular economy goals.

“Viridor has been using the Recycling Index to track public attitudes to recycling for four years and, as a UK company working with 150 local authority and major corporate clients and 32,000 customers, we understand the appetite for greater resource efficiency and a more circular economy.

“What this really means is that people expect the UK to be responsible for the waste it produces. The public want us to find a way to recycle and reprocess plastic so it is no longer considered single use, that it will go on to live another life and make an ongoing contribution to our economy.

“Viridor, through the Plastics Pact, is working hard with like-minded companies who can help us achieve our goal of making it easy for people to do the right thing when they separate their recycling at home.

“We are accomplishing this through our dedicated division, Viridor Resource Management (VRM). The public should feel confident that when they put the Right Stuff in the Right Bin, we ensure that it can be recycled and reprocessed by investing in UK infrastructure.”

Sarah Heald, Director of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations at Viridor’s parent company, the FTSE 250 Pennon Group, said the investment commitment would help to address the reprocessing capacity gap which had led to plastic waste being exported.

In addition, policy changes including the 2022 plastic tax, which will require packaging to contain at least 30% recyclable material, were creating the demand for recyclable material in the UK – another factor which had contributed to plastic being exported.

She said it was an exciting time to be in the recycling industry, a time when programmes, such as David Attenborough’s ‘Blue Planet’, had captured the imagination of the public with this greater awareness about recycling being developed in line with changes in government policy.

Sarah added: “The plastics tax and the Resources and Waste Strategy’s focus on issues such as Extended Producer Responsibility, or producer pays, will have a really significant impact because they help to create the right environment for investment in the infrastructure the UK needs and, of course, the demand for recyclable material in the UK.

“It is crucial that UK manufacturers and consumers brands want to use recyclable material in new products, that this is part of their own sustainability targets because that is the circular economy in action and that should be everyone’s ambition.”

  • An online survey of 2,500 UK adults (300 of which lived in Glasgow and 300 in Edinburgh) was conducted by Edelman Intelligence in July 2019.

Penny Mordaunt doubles support for plastic recycling

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt yesterday doubled UK aid support for plastic recycling in developing countries and called for solutions to clearing plastic waste from the world’s oceans and rivers, at an event in Parliament with Sir David Attenborough. Continue reading Penny Mordaunt doubles support for plastic recycling