“Reducing plastic waste is something that I have, and will continue to campaign for. I am delighted that the Government is taking action to tackle plastic waste that blights our beautiful local coastline and to encourage both producers and consumers, to reduce, reuse and recycle to protect our environment.” Caroline Dinenage MP
Today the Government has launched a public consultation proposing a new, world-leading plastics tax. The tax on the production and import of plastic packaging would be introduced in April 2020 and tax plastic with less than 30% recycled content.
Over 2 million tonnes of plastic packaging is used a year, with 67% of plastic waste being packaging. The vast majority of waste is made from new and not recycled plastic. The new tax would give producers economic incentives to use either no, or recycled plastic packaging.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has locally campaigned for reducing plastic waste from launching a new recycling initiative for paper coffee cups to beach cleans and giving up single-use plastic for Lent. On learning about the new consultation, Caroline commented:
“Last year I gave up plastic for Lent, I was shocked to learn how difficult it was to buy basic products without loads of unnecessary plastic packaging - that’s why I am encouraged by action to inspire producers to think more about the plastics they use. Our environment is changing at a rapid rate and we need to take strong and definitive action to tackle this. I hope that this world-leading tax will incentivise good behaviour and help protect our local environment in Gosport.”
For more information on the consultation or to have your say please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/plastic-packaging-tax.
