Copeland MP Trudy Harrison is encouraging people to give their views on plans to phase out many single-use plastics in England.
The Government has this week launched a public consultation into banning a range of plastics that harm our landscapes and wildlife, including single-use plastic plates and cutlery and polystyrene cups.
According to estimates, England uses 1.1 billion single-use plates and 4.25 billion items of single-use cutlery — most of which are plastic — per year, but only 10 per cent is recycled upon disposal.
The UK uses 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups per year, while plastic sachets are often not recycled due to their small size, which makes it hard to segregate and clean them.
Mrs Harrison said: “I welcome the Government’s proposals to phase out single-use plastics – and I encourage residents to give your views via the public consultation.
“Single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups are among a range of items that threaten our natural environment that could be banned in England. The proposals will lead to businesses using more sustainable alternatives and prevent plastic litter from polluting our landscapes.
“These proposals build on the significant steps already taken by the Government and industry to tackle plastic pollution.”
The consultation runs until February 12. For more information, click here.
