George Eustice, MP for Camborne, Redruth & Hayle has today welcomed Government plans to overhaul the waste system, cut plastic pollution, and move towards a more circular economy. The changes will make up a key part of the government's upcoming Environment Bill.
As well as making businesses and manufacturers pay the full cost of recycling or disposing of their packaging waste, householders will see the existing complicated recycling system simplified. A consultation has launched today on a consistent set of recyclable materials collected from all households and businesses, and consistent labelling on packaging so consumers know what they can recycle.
These will include separate weekly food waste collections for every household in England and could include free garden waste collections for households with gardens. Having comprehensive and frequent collections will ensure more reliable services for householders while retaining local flexibility.
The government is also seeking views on introducing a Deposit Return Scheme for cans and bottles, subject to consultation, alongside setting out two potential models – ‘all-in’ or ‘on-the-go’. This could drive up the recycling of an estimated three billion plastic bottles which are currently incinerated, sent to landfill or left to pollute our streets, countryside and marine environment.
To help drive up household recycling levels, the government will introduce a consistent set of recyclable materials for collection in England, no matter which part of the country people live in.
George Eustice, commented, "We've all seen the damage that plastic can do to our environment. Plastic Packaging accounts for up to two-thirds of all the plastic waste that pollutes this country and wreaks havoc on our environment. It is right that we put in place measures that will simplify waste collections and reduce the amount of waste thrown away.
These measures along with the other consultations will help drive up recycling, cut the amount of new plastic being used and protect our environment for future generations."
