Tackling the problem of plastic litter

MANY Glaswegians are continuing to voice their concerns about street cleansing services and litter problems in our communities.

The most common items littering our streets are gum and gum wrappers, cigarette butts and packaging, drinks containers, as well as food and food packaging.

Litter on our streets is diverting public money away from other local public services like parks, schools and pavements. Worryingly, broken glass, rusty cans and lit cigarettes left lying around causes harm to the health of people and animals.

A huge chunk of Glasgow’s street litter could be recycled.

After 179 households took part in The Everyday Plastic Survey between April and July 2020, it was determined that on average, each household throws away at least nine preventable pieces of plastic waste per week. We can look forward to updated findings from the Big Plastic Count which was held between May 16-22.

Plastic bottles and drinks cans are easily recycled and generate money and jobs for Glasgow’s economy.

Tackling the problem of plastic litter can also help with the clean up of our neighbourhoods. Cutting down plastic purchases can make a huge impact on our local environment.

Buying a reuseable water bottle and plan to refill at home or on the go. Most workplaces, cafes and bars will allow you to refill your water. Instead of shower gel bottle, there are bars of soap that do not have plastic packaging that can last longer. Ensuring that reusable bag are used for groceries and other shopping reduces plastic pollution. Increasing your purchase of loose fruit and vegetables can help the planet.

We can’t solve this plastic problem without the big changes that only the government can make happen. This week, there was a welcome breakthrough with the most problematic single-use plastic items being banned in Scotland.

Legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow makes it an offence, from June 1, 2022, for businesses to provide items such as plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks), plates, straws, beverage stirrers and balloon sticks; food containers made of expanded polystyrene; and cups and other beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, including their covers and lids.

With Greens in the Scottish Government we are reducing waste and cutting our carbon emissions. Lorna Slater, the circular economy minister, highlighted how Scotland has became the first part of the UK to regulate against unnecessary single-use items.

Enforcement of the new regulation will be the responsibility of local authorities. Businesses are making the switch to reusable alternatives, helping to reduce litter and cut emissions. Together we can rapidly phase out unnecessary single use plastic and eliminate plastic pollution from our streets and our oceans.

Plastic is also emitting greenhouse gases at every stage of its life cycle. Reduction in plastic consumption can help reduce the city’s emissions. Green councillors are supporting the development of the council’s plastic reduction strategy. The reduce, reuse, refill, recycle economy in Glasgow that Greens are pushing for is a vital step towards tackling climate change.”