Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Plastic Waste

Thursday 28 April 2022 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We have banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and restricted straws, stirrers, and cotton buds.
  • We are introducing a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles.
  • We are reviewing the results of a consultation to ban plastic wet wipes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Environment
Context

The MP asked about steps being taken to reduce plastic waste in the UK, citing specific actions like banning microbeads and restricting single-use plastics.

Question

What steps he is taking to reduce plastic waste. I have noted that we have banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, restricted straws, stirrers, and cotton buds, consulted on banning other single-use plastic items, and conducted a call for evidence on problematic plastic items.

Answer from Jo Churchill

We have banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products. We have restricted the supply of straws, stirrers and cotton buds. We have consulted on banning other single-use plastic items, including plates and cutlery. We have conducted a call for evidence on problematic plastic items, including wet wipes, tobacco filters and sachets, and we are reviewing that information.

Answered
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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Environment
Context

The MP asked about the efficiency of recycling plastic bottles compared to glass bottles and inquired if it would be better to end the use of plastic bottles.

Question

Recycling plastics is energy and emission-intensive, so would we not be better to end the use of plastic bottles and concentrate on the deposit and return of glass ones?

Answer from Jo Churchill

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question, but actually it is about the use of the appropriate material for the appropriate product. Plastic is a good product when used sensibly and when it can be recycled, and we often now see 100% recycled plastic. We are introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers so that consumers can easily recycle them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on why glass bottles might or might not be better than plastic bottles, focusing instead on the use of appropriate materials and recycling schemes.

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Q3 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Children & Families Environment
Context

The MP raised the issue of reusable nappy schemes to support new parents, citing environmental and carbon issues associated with disposable nappies.

Question

What more can she do to encourage local authorities to have schemes that support new parents using reusable nappies? It has to be acknowledged that one of the biggest issues for landfill is disposable nappies that cost huge amounts in terms of our carbon problems within the UK and around the world.

Answer from Jo Churchill

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on raising this issue. I have met companies that promote the use of reusable nappies. It is a great idea, and there are also schemes where people can rent and save money by doing so.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or commitments to encourage local authorities for reusable nappy schemes.

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Q4 Andrew Selous Con
Environment
Context

The MP asked about the timing of a proposed ban on plastic wet wipes, which contribute to environmental pollution and sewage overflow issues.

Question

Can the Minister also update the House on when we are likely to ban plastic wet wipes, which not only pollute the environment but can cause sewage overflows?

Answer from Jo Churchill

I am working with my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow) on this, because the challenge in sewers is acute with the build-up of wet wipes. As I say, we have recently conducted a consultation. That consultation has now finished. We are now reviewing the results, and we will be bringing forward more information shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific date or timeline for the ban on plastic wet wipes.

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Q5 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS Environment
Context

The MP inquired about discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care to make medical packaging more recyclable, considering the reliance on single-use plastic during the pandemic.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response, and in that theme of positive strategy going forward, what discussions has she had with the Department of Health and Social Care about the packaging of medical supplies being more readily recyclable? The pandemic has clearly illustrated and highlighted the reliance on single-use plastic, and we must do everything we can to reduce that.

Answer from Jo Churchill

There are certain medical devices where sterility and so on are important, where single-use plastic is the best product available, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that the team at the Department of Health and Social Care is working on making sure that products are not only more recyclable, but more reusable.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or progress updates on discussions for making medical packaging more recyclable.

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