Member Control Panel
BPF Recycling Group Position Statement on Litter & plastic bags
In December 2008 seven of the UK`s leading Supermarkets signed up to a voluntary agreement with Government to cut the number of single use plastic carrier bags distributed by the end of May 2009 by 50 % (against 2006 levels). Recently reported WRAP figures show a 48% reduction from 870 M in May 2006 to 452 M in May 2009.
However a recent survey report from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) shows an unchanged position regarding plastic bag litter on UK beaches:-
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September 2006 - 40 plastic bags per kilometre of beach.
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September 2009 - 40 plastic bags per kilometre of beach.
The BPF Recycling Group supports:
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ENCAMS Keep Britain Tidy Campaign
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Improved waste management on beaches (increased collection facilities)
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Improved waste management in towns and cities (increased collection facilities)
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Education in schools on litter prevention
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The BPF's initiative on preventing spillages from production and transport
The BPF Recycling Group maintains that:
1. Litter is a social problem and not a material specific problem - plastic bags don`t litter ... people do
2. Consumers should be encouraged to re-use single use plastic carrier bags and then return to in-store recycling banks for mechanical recycling.
3. Where appropriate single use plastic carrier bags should be manufactured from recycled plastics rather than virgin Material as this reduces energy consumption by up to two thirds.
4. Single use plastic bags should never be made from degradable material unless there is a specific sustainable application, such as to contain food waste.
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