Supermarket chain scraps plastic packs... now PM is urging others to do same
And yesterday she welcomed Iceland’s move as an important first step. Her official spokesman said: “The PM said that this was a good start, but there was much more to do and we want others to now follow suit.”
Meanwhile, McDonald’s pledged that within seven years all of its fast food packaging globally will come from renewable, recycled, or certified sources with a preference for Forest Stewardship Council certification.
In the UK, all its straws are made from recyclable plastic and all its paper and card packaging is renewable, recyclable or from certified sources.
Wagamama has also said it will replace all plastic straws at its 128 UK restaurants with a biodegradable alternative from Earth Day on April 22 – and until then will only provide plastic straws to customers that ask.
Its chief executive Jane Holbrook said: “I am personally passionate about a positive and sustainable relationship between the environment and our brand.”
The moves come amid growing concern about the tsunami of plastic that is swamping the world’s oceans.
About 12 million tons of plastic enters the world’s oceans every year, putting the food chain and marine wildlife at risk. Greenpeace worked with Iceland on scrapping plastic.
Its executive director John Sauven said: “Last month a long list of former heads of Britain’s biggest retail groups wrote a joint statement to explain that the only solution to plastic pollution was for retailers to reject plastic entirely in favour of more sustainable alternatives like recycled paper, steel, glass and aluminium.
“Now Iceland has taken up that challenge with its bold pledge to go plastic free within five years. It’s now up to other retailers and food producers to respond to that challenge.”
Sian Sutherland, the co-founder of campaigning group A Plastic Planet, said: “Iceland must be congratulated for no longer hiding behind the myth that we can recycle our way out of this plastic disaster.
“A Plastic Planet will continue to press other supermarkets to give us, the Great British public, the choice to buy plastic-free. It starts with a Plastic Free Aisle.
“Making all own brand products plastic-free is a great start but this is just the beginning.
“We hope that the big brands will follow Iceland’s lead here.”
Friends of the Earth said Iceland and McDonald’s are making the Government’s plastic pledge look unambitious. Campaigner Julian Kirby said: “Theresa May is in danger of being out-greened by Ronald McDonald.
“McDonald’s aim to reduce the impact of its packaging by 2025, including plastic, is welcome news – although speedier action in some countries, such as the UK, is surely possible.”