Compostable bags and paper packaging a 'false solution', according to Greenpeace
Replacing single- use plastics with compostable alternatives or paper or wood is not the answer to environmental problems, Greenpeace has warned. Companies including Marks & Spencer, Pret A Manger and Sainsbury's have all launched initiatives to try and cut how much plastic they use.
But the campaign group branded these 'false solutions' and said it was 'grotesque' that using wood and paper wastes trees, while compostable materials often end up in general rubbish. Instead, supermarkets and cafes should be trying to use fully reusable items like metal cutlery, refillable bags and unpackaged foods.
“Companies swapping single- use plastic for other throwaway items need to think again,” said Greenpeace’s Fiona Nicholls.
“We can’t carry on using up land or chopping down forests to make cutlery, cups or packaging that gets used for a matter of moments, and could pollute our planet for hundreds of years to come. It’s grotesque. Businesses like supermarkets and cafes must switch to a reuse and refill model.”
“That means metal cutlery, proper cups, water refill stations, and selling products in refillable packaging or none at all. It’s common sense.”
According to Greenpeace, the three main culprits in the plastic- swap, which has been encouraged by customers becoming concerned about pollution in the oceans, are bioplastics, compostable plastics and paper. Compostable plastic and paper bags have been brought in at supermarkets including Aldi, the Co-op, Morrison's, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. But an investigation earlier this year found that compostable plastics often end up in general rubbish in landfill or an incinerator.
This was because not enough places had the right facilities to be able to compost the rubbish, the investigation by environmental campaigner, Footprint, found. Meanwhile, fast food and takeaway shops including McDonald's have made switches intended to be better for the environment.