80% DROP IN PLASTIC BAGS
MCS beach clean data suggests that there is an 80% drop in carrier bags found washed up on UK beaches.
Back in 2015, it was implemented that there was to be a 5p charge for single-use carrier bags from all retail shops. Not a tax, but a fee that sees its proceeds go towards good causes. By 2021, it was reported that the number of bags sold by major supermarkets had gone down by more than 95% in England.[1.]
The Marine Conservation Society (MSC) have been running beach litter surveys for 30 years, throughout the year, as well as their annual beach clean ups, known as the Great British Beach Clean. Their recent data showed that there was an average drop of 80% in carrier bags found washed up on UK beaches.[2.]
No doubt the 5p campaign had helped to bring this reduction, and help create awareness of the plastic situation. Collective and systemic change works!
However, though this is wonderful news to see progression, the litter surveys found that "Glass bottles, plastic bottles and metal drinks cans continue to pollute our beaches and streets. In 2023, drinks-related litter increased by 14% compared to 2022... With 92% of inland litter picks recorded plastic bottles and lids."[3.] The sad matter is that the majority of plastic drinks bottles are made using PET plastic which is actually designed for recycling.[4.] And when a global drinks company claim that "61% of the equivalent bottles and cans we introduced into the market in 2022 were collected and refilled or collected for recycling"[5.], what this shows is that the positive change is not happening fast enough.
If single-use drinks bottles have been made using recyclable plastic, then why is it not being recycled? The plastic problem will not be resolved with waste management alone, but it is a major contributing factor. The MCS have been calling for the Deposit Return Scheme with a campaign in 2018 called "Bottles for Change", to encourage people to recycle their bottles. In April 2024, the UK Government for England announced the scheme would start sometime between 2025 to 2027, but would not include glass.
With the positive news of the plastic bag reduction, we can only hope that the Deposit Return Scheme will start sooner than the current plan states. You can read more about the scheme here at: https://www.mcsuk.org/ocean-emergency/ocean-pollution/circular-economy/deposit-return-scheme/
For now, continue using your reusable bags, reusable bottles and all other reusable items you have! If you do buy a plastic bottle of liquid, please make sure to keep the empty bottle with you until you find somewhere to recycle it; many bins in cities and towns now have separate recycling bins so you don't even have to carry it home with you for your kerbside recycling. And definitely please do not litter!
The Great British Beach Clean Up this year runs between Friday 20th September - Sunday 29th September. If you want to get involved, you can find a beach clean near you at: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/join-a-beach-clean/great-british-beach-clean/great-british-beach-clean-events/
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Sources:
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/single-use-plastic-carrier-bags-why-were-introducing-the-charge/carrier-bags-why-theres-a-5p-charge
2. https://www.mcsuk.org/news/campaign-win-80-drop-in-carrier-bags-on-uk-beaches/
3. https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/join-a-beach-clean/beachwatch-2023-what-you-found/
4. https://www.recycletheone.com/what-is-pet/debunking-myths-about-pet-plastic/
5. https://www.coca-colacompany.com/content/dam/company/us/en/reports/coca-cola-business-sustainability-report-2022.pdf