The Bishop of Durham has joined businesses, MPs, faith leaders, academics and campaigning organisations in calling on the Prime Minister to introduce legally binding targets to stem the growing tide of plastic pollution.
In a letter to Boris Johnson, the Rt Revd Paul Butler has joined others to say that while government initiatives - such as the ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds – have had positive impacts, a more over-arching approach is needed to deal with the problem.
The call comes as MPs are set to debate amendments to the Environment Bill in Parliament on Tuesday.
An amendment calling for legally binding plastics reduction targets to be included in the bill has been tabled by Conservative MP Chris Loder.
In particular, the Prime Minister is being urged to ensure that long-term and interim targets for cutting plastic pollution are included in the government’s flagship Environment Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament.
As well as Bishop Paul, signatories to the letter include businesses such as Iceland and Neal’s Yard, academics and organisations such as Friends of the Earth, the WI, Surfers against Sewage, Keep Britain Tidy, City to Sea and Tearfund.
Environmental campaign charity Friends of the Earth said the plastic pollution problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with disposable face masks found on more than two thirds of recent Marine Conservation Society beach clean ups.
Chris Loder MP, who has tabled an amendment to the Environment Bill, said: “The Government has made great strides towards tackling the scourge of plastic pollution.
"My amendment takes this further. We generate so much plastic waste here in the UK that it needs to be shipped abroad, whilst supermarkets and large retailers have no requirement to reduce their excessive plastic usage.
"Now is the time to get a grip of plastic pollution, once and for all.”
Friends of the Earth plastic campaigner Camilla Zerr added that the government must go further to stem the rising tide of plastic pollution.
She said: “Boris Johnson has a golden opportunity to get to grips with the crisis by ensuring that the Environment Bill contains legally-binding targets for reducing the amount of plastic waste polluting our planet every year
“The government has promised to be a world leader on the environment and set a gold standard for cutting down on plastic waste. Now it’s time to deliver.”
