New pact ‘will help turn tide of plastic waste’
Britain is beginning to turn back the tide of plastic waste believes a Midlands energy expert.
Ron Fox was encouraged to hear that 42 household companies signed the UK Plastics Pact a couple of weeks ago to eliminate all plastic packaging that cannot be reused within the next seven years.
By 2025 supermarkets, food and drink giants and other industrial giants have agreed to stop throwaway plastic which includes black ready-meal trays, crisp packets, pizza bases and soft plastic and laminated foil food pouches.
The problem of the black trays is that the colours cannot be picked out by the laser sorting systems on conveyor belts in recycling plants.
However, plastic packs and bottles will be exempt if they can be reused, recycled or composted. Under the agreement bottles will include an average of 30 per cent recycled plastic.
The agreement is supported by Keep Britain Tidy and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which campaigns to protect the oceans. It is also backed by the Environment Secretary Michael Gove who said the Government, businesses and the public all had to work together to stop the waste.
“Any moves to cut plastic polluting our towns, countryside and oceans are to be welcomed,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park.
“This tide does seem to be turning at last with this pact on top of the cutback on supermarket carrier bags, the Government proposal for a total ban on plastic cotton buds, straws and drink stirrers and plans to bring in a deposit and return scheme on drinks bottles and cans.
“But more still needs to be done by countries worldwide because if the issue is not tackled there will be more plastic, by weight, than fish in our oceans by 2050.
“One way this can be done is to prevent excess plastic reaching our supermarket shelves and to focus on better packaging design.”
Pact supporter Morrison’s is doing just that. The supermarket has announced a trial in some stores to remove plastic packaging from fruit and vegetables and to allow customers to bring their own containers when shopping at the meat and fish counters.
Other supermarkets are looking into allowing shoppers to bring in refillable bottles when buying laundry liquids.
Those who have signed the agreement include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Aldi, Lidl, Pret a Manger, Birds Eye, Lucozade Ribena, Pizza Hut, Highland Spring, Britvic Soft Drinks, Allied Bakeries, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Nestle and Unilever.
“We have never had a better opportunity to stop the damage that plastic is wreaking havoc on our planet,” added Ron, “and we must not throw it away. In particular, people need to play their part both as shoppers and householders ensuring their homes are environmentally friendly and by using green energy.”
For help and advice about green energy matters contact Ron Fox on 01782 756995 or go to www.noreus.co.uk
