Plastic waste is to be banned by 2042

But May vow ‘not enough’

A PLEDGE to eliminate “all avoidable plastic waste” by 2042 will be announced by Theresa May today.

The move will force supermarkets to remove plastic containers and wrappings from products.

Instead, ministers want bosses to introduce entire aisles of loose food to help shoppers become more environmentally friendly.

The Prime Minister will extend the 5p levy on plastic carrier bags to all retailers. Her 25-Year Environment Plan will also pave the way for extra tax on single-use plastic items, like takeaway tubs.

But Labour and green campaigners blasted the Tories’ move as “too little too late”.

Mrs May will say: “We look in horror at past damage to our environment and wonder how anyone could think that, for example, dumping toxic chemicals in rivers was ever right. Future people will be shocked at how we let so much plastic be produced needlessly.

“It is ingested by sea creatures, causing suffering and death. This is one of the great environmental scourges of our time.”

Nine billion fewer plastic bags have been used since the 5p levy’s 2015 introduction to England. But small retailers, including corner shops, are currently exempt and can give bags free to customers.

Greenpeace said: “We can’t wait 25 more years for action. The Government should stop kicking the plastic bottle down the road. The most glaring gap is a failure to back deposit return schemes.”

Shadow Environment Secretary Sue Hayman said: “This cynical bid to rebrand the Tories’ image can’t reverse the damage of their failed environmental policy.”

DRAMATIC Misty scene at Belfast’s Cavehill yesterday RUFF WEATHER Dog walker DELAYS Traffic was slow on Northern Ireland’s main routes

LEVY Free bag use will end