Today at the Court of Common Council we discussed our commitment to recycling, plastics and coffee cups. An apt discussion in light of the Government announcement on their vision which I share below -
Today, the Prime Minister launched the 25 Year Environment Plan, highlighting steps for a cleaner, greener Britain that will leave our environment in a better state than we found it for the next generation.
The steps in the 25 Year Environment Plan
· Eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042. We know that we must reduce the demand for plastic, reduce the number of plastics in circulation and improve our recycling rates and that is why we have taken this significant step. We will lead the way by removing all consumer single use plastic in central government offices.
Encourage supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles in which all the food is loose.This will give people the choice to make greener decisions and promote the use of less damaging plastic packaging.
· Extend the 5p carrier bag charge to all retailers in England. To date, we have used nine billion fewer plastic bags as a direct consequence of introducing the charge. This has led to a reduction of 83 per cent and £95 million has been donated to environmental educational, and other good causes.
· Call for evidence next month on a new charge or tax on single-use plastic items, such as takeaway containers. This will encourage industry to take more responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products and make them easier to recycle.
· Funding into plastics innovation through a bid into the government’s £7 billion research and development pot.
· Northern Forest. It will be a new community woodland for Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire, provide a new and enduring amenity for the growing population of the north of England, and act as a carbon sink for the UK.
· Young people to learn more about the natural world, targeting schools in disadvantaged areas first. This will be supported by £10 million of investment.