Taxing plastic can work, but more pressure needed on producers and sellers – Greenpeace

Publication date: 13th March 2018

Commenting on the government consultation launched today looking at ways to charge single-use plastic, Greenpeace UK senior political adviser Rebecca Newsom said:

“The success of the plastic bag charge shows that a smart tax on plastic can work, so it’s good to see the Chancellor reconfirm his commitment to look into this. The main problem with single-use plastic is that we produce far too much of it in the first place. That’s why, as well as charges, the government should introduce measures to fundamentally reduce the amount of plastic waste being produced and sold. There should be more pressure on supermarkets and food giants to cut down the amount of throwaway plastic they put in circulation, and it should go hand in hand with a UK-wide deposit-return scheme for all drinks containers that can boost collection rates. The plastic problem is huge, but so is public support for action. This gives Theresa May’s government a unique opportunity to do what it takes to protect our oceans from the threat of plastic waste and set an example for other countries to follow.”

ENDS