Plastics plan falls short while recycling rates slump – Hayman

Sue Hayman MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, commenting on the government’s plastics announcement, said:

“It is disappointing that this announcement falls short of EU
proposals announced earlier this week, especially when we have had warm
words from government that British environmental standards will not lag
behind after Brexit. Despite the headlines, it appears that plastic
drinks stirrers are the only item that will be totally banned from sale.

“Meanwhile, recycling rates have slumped and the UK continues to
export large amounts of recyclable materials to countries that have
little or no waste infrastructure – which is how a lot of plastic ends
up in our oceans.

“Labour is calling for a truly comprehensive waste and recycling
strategy that tackles our lack of domestic infrastructure to deal with
what we throw away as well as further action to reduce waste at source
and improve levels of recycling.”