Britain, the throwaway society

MORE than nine in ten people think we throw away too much rubbish, a poll has found.

As concerns grow about the future of our environment – and the harm plastic litter can do – most of us believe we have become a throwaway society.

Seven out of ten Britons support paying the 5p levy for plastic carrier bags when shopping if the money goes to charity. The YouGov poll showed 87 per cent of those aware of the levy now take their own bags to shops more than before. The Charities Aid Foundation, which commissioned the study, has allocated nearly a quarter of all funds raised from the levy so far, working with retailers on community projects. Chief executive Sir John Low said attitudes towards plastic were changing.