MPs joined Friends of the Earth and National Federation of Women’s Institutes to launch anti-plastic bill.

The stark images of plastic pollution on Blue Planet 2 shocked the nation when they were broadcast back in November 2017, provoking huge public outrage and demands for tough action to safeguard our natural environment from the perils of plastic.

Since then manufactures and retailers have tumbled over themselves to demonstrate concern. From plastic-free packaging for loose fruit and veg, to discounts for re-usable coffee cups, it seems every firm wants to help the planet.

The public mood hasn’t been lost on the government either, with Theresa May pledging to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

Only last week Michael Gove launched consultations on a raft of measures aimed at  cutting waste, including a deposit scheme for bottles and cans, a new tax on plastic with less than 30% recycled content, and an obligation for manufacturers to pay far more towards the cost of dealing with the waste they create.

But while these initiatives are for the most part welcome steps forward, the harsh reality is that they are still merely tiny drops in a vast and very polluted ocean.

Every year twelve million tonnes of plastic pollution pour into our seas, with still more scattered across our streets and fields, buried in our soil or floating in our lakes and rivers. 

Plastic has been found in the highest mountains, the deepest ocean trenches, our food and tap water – and even the air we breathe.

The causes of this pollution aren’t just familiar nuisances like the excessive packaging and disposable cups we hear about in the news. Vast quantities of tiny ‘microplastics’ come from the wear and tear of car tyres, synthetic clothing and paints.

If we are really going to get serious on this issue, we must get drastic on plastic with a clear action plan, and legally-binding plastic-reduction targets.

This is why Friends of the Earth and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes have drawn up the Phase-out of Plastic Pollution Bill, which is being launched in Westminster today.

The bill will be presented to Parliament today by Alistair Carmichael MP, with backing from cross-party MPs, including, Anna McMorrin, Alex Sobel, Mary Creagh and Kerry McCarthy from Labour. It includes:

• a statutory long-term target to significantly reduce plastic waste and pollution by 2042 – with substantial and progressive cuts before that date.

• a 2025 target to end non-essential single-use plastics. Although bans are planned for some single-use products, many are omitted such as plastic sachets and disposable coffee cup lids.

• the establishment of an independent advisory Committee on Plastics Pollution to advise the government on policy measures to achieve statutory targets and develop a list of essential plastic uses that may not be phased out.

The public appetite for legislation is enormous. A YouGov survey for Friends of the Earth, published today, shows that 89% support a law to significantly reduce plastic waste and pollution within 25 years. And 88% supporting a law to ensure manufacturers and retailers phase out all non-essential single-use plastic by 2025.

Just over ten years ago, in a campaign led by Friends of the Earth, civil society, the public and all the mainstream political parties came together to secure the ground-breaking 2008 Climate Change Act – the first national legislation to cut greenhouse gases anywhere in the world.

It’s time to show that foresight and determination again and put the UK at the forefront in global efforts to end the scourge of plastic pollution.

Emma Priestland is a campaigner for Friends of the Earth

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