New research released by environmental charity City to Sea revealed the public overwhelmingly wants to see the government take action against plastic, with 73% of people stating the government should ban as much single-use packaging as possible.
Over half of those surveyed (64%) also agreed that a ban on single-use plastic in dine-in settings must be implemented. This follows in the footsteps of France, where all brasseries, cafés, and multinational chains with more than 20 seats per venue must provide reusable packaging.
The move has already diverted an estimated 180,000 tonnes of waste from landfill, and City to Sea has called on the government to introduce a similar ban in the UK, by launching an online petition that gathered 30,000 signatures.
Solutions to reduce litter from single-use packaging
A large majority (85%) of people would like to see a reduction in plastic litter in their local area, which could be largely helped by the introduction of policies such as a Deposit Return Scheme that includes glass.
Existing solutions to the plastic crisis, such as refill and reuse, are in operation, but industry leaders are calling for government intervention to scale up and expedite the positive effects of these programmes.
Reuse is a particularly popular solution to the plastic crisis, with 77% of Britons wanting to see brands and retailers offer more refill and reusable packaging options.
A range of retailers now have reusable packaging schemes in place, with M&S announcing the expansion of its initiative to 25 stores nationwide and Ocado launching its own version for dried goods in August, but it seems the public wants more.
The government must do more
Despite an ambitious goal to transition to a zero-waste economy by 2050, the Labour government has yet to tackle the far-reaching effects of plastic pollution.
With Labour’s first 100 days in office now in the rearview mirror, campaigners are urging the government to address the single-use plastic problem.
City to Sea revealed the research during a parliamentary reception hosted by Alistair Carmichael MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
During the event, City to Sea urged the new government to respond to the public’s demand and lead the way in reuse, calling for a ban on single-use food service materials in dine-in settings, legally binding targets for reusable and refillable packaging and the introduction of an all-in DRS.
Over a dozen MPs attended the reception, including Sarah Dyke MP, Ann Davies MP and Ben Maguire MP, alongside industry representatives from M&S, Ecover and Unpacked. Representatives from leading environmental organisations, including Greenpeace, also showed their support.
Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said: “The government cannot continue to ignore the plastic problem as piles of waste continue to line our streets and shores.
“With an ambitious goal to be zero-waste by 2050, policies must be rolled out to facilitate that vision, including legally binding targets for reusable packaging, an all-in DRS and ambitious plastic bans.”
She concluded: “Our polling shows a clear statement from the public that they are trying to do their bit but expect the government to do more, including banning single-use packaging in dine-in settings.
“All the government has to do is act. City to Sea will continue to work with parliamentarians across the House to deliver decisive action and end the scourge of single-use plastic.”
