The UK Government to introduce a ban on all non-recyclable packaging from 2022.

We call for action due to environmental crisis caused in the main by single-use plastics and demand the Government commit to an outright ban; most importantly in the food industry.

We also call on the Government to set a target date for eradication of non-degradable toxic plastics before 2030.

Single-use plastics can be eliminated by introducing bottle deposit schemes, pollution taxes and the removal from sale of all plastic bags, including 5p schemes.

Plastic use has impact on a global scale as recent articles have highlighted. It has to stop now!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/14/uk-to-investigate-human-health-impact-of-microplastics

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/12/microplastic-pollution-in-oceans-is-far-greater-than-thought-say-scientists

There are no current plans to ban all non-recyclable packaging from 2022. However, the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan sets out measures to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. We will do this through a four-point plan that takes action at each stage of the product lifecycle – production, consumption and end of life. At the production stage, this includes encouraging producers to take more responsibility for the environmental impact of their products and making sure plastic items are more carefully designed. At the consumer stage we want to reduce demand for single-use plastic. At the end of life stage, we will make it easier for people to recycle and increase the amount of plastic being recycled.

More detail, including future targets and milestones, will be announced in the forthcoming Resources and Waste Strategy. We know that our producer responsibility waste management systems as they currently stand could be improved. That is why we have already committed in both our Clean Growth Strategy and our 25 Year Environment Plan to reforming the current systems to incentivise producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products, and to drive resource efficiency and increase the recycling of packaging waste.

The government has also confirmed that it will introduce a Deposit Return Scheme in England for single-use drinks containers, subject to consultation later this year. The consultation will look at the details of how such a scheme would work, alongside other measures to increase recycling rates.