Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Plastic Pollution

Thursday 15 October 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions on Plastic Pollution were held on 2020-10-15.
  • The government introduced a microbeads ban and reduced single-use plastic carrier bag usage by 95% in main supermarkets.
  • The government plans to extend the single-use carrier bag charge to 10p and apply it to all retailers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Damien Moore Con
Environment
Context

The question addresses the steps taken by the government to reduce plastic pollution, referencing specific actions and measures.

Question

What steps he is taking to reduce plastic pollution. We introduced a microbeads ban and reduced single-use plastic carrier bag usage by 95% in main supermarkets. I am concerned about further measures to tackle this issue.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We are committed to tackling plastic pollution. We introduced a microbeads ban and reduced single-use plastic carrier bag usage by 95% in main supermarkets. We are also increasing the single-use carrier bag charge to 10p and extending it to all retailers. We restricted the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds, and we are seeking further powers in the Environment Bill to charge for single-use plastic items, making recycling more consistent, and reforming packaging waste regulations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or detailed commitment on implementing measures beyond existing actions.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Mark Pawsey Con
Environment
Context

The question addresses the suggestion to ban oxo-degradable plastics, a type of additive in conventional plastics causing microplastics when broken down.

Question

It has been suggested that one way of reducing pollution is to make greater use of oxo-degradable plastic. This involves using an additive in conventional plastics that causes them to break down and fragment into microplastics that, in the marine environment, can be digested by organisms. Will the Minister commit the Government to acting on the call from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and join the EU in banning the use of oxo-degradable plastic?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. The Government recognise that innovative packaging types can help reduce the environmental impact of plastic if disposed of in the right way, and I know that he has a lot of knowledge in this area owing to his constituency connections. However, there is currently only limited reliable published evidence on the environmental impacts of oxo-biodegradable plastics. DEFRA and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published a call for evidence last year to better understand the effects of these and compostable plastics on the environment, and we will be publishing the results later on in the autumn.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to banning oxo-degradable plastic but acknowledged ongoing research and evidence collection.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Damien Moore Con
Environment
Context

The question addresses the responsible disposal of face masks and other personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to ensure the responsible disposal of face masks and other personal protective equipment?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Of course, that is a question that many people are thinking about, and I thank my hon. Friend for it. The covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in PPE, but we are starting to see businesses rise to the challenge, producing items such as reusable face coverings—we are seeing a whole lot in Parliament—that can be washed and reused, but, obviously, hygiene must be taken very seriously. The Government have published guidance on the disposal of face coverings and other PPE during the pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or commitments on measures beyond existing guidance.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)