Government needs to step in on plastic waste

NOT counting the pandemic, the climate crisis must rate as THE number one issue of our time. But it’s not alone, it’s paired with the ecological happening-disaster, dominated by plastics.

Where I live we weekly have to pick rubbish out of our front garden that has blown in or been kindly deposited by people not wanting to litter the street. It looks awful. But that’s not the real issue.

Digging a new pond in the garden I came up with plastic washing line from goodness knows when. Lifting leeks on the allotment I found I had plastic snack-wrapping on my fork (presumably from the playground 10 yards away). We’ve all seen photos of the Pacific awash with plastic, bottles, bags and other items. Australia, not a country with much of a reputation for sustainability, is introducing a drive to get rid of polystyrene packaging (like the cups and chip wrappings donated by passers-by), phasing it out by mid-2022.

Why can’t we do the same here? They are also tackling microplastics lost into washing water looking to washing machine manufacturers to routinely install filters.

But, as those of us who live in poorer districts where disposable plastic bags are routinely given and used, warm middle-class invitations to virtue only reach some people. We need government to step in, supporting effective and comprehensive recycling – especially now many countries won’t sacrifice themselves to become our rubbish tips.

To get industry to move we need carrots and sticks.

Financial rewards, perhaps indirect in the form of contracts, for real progress; financial penalties in the form of taxes on plastics to spur developments.

F Greenman, Ardwick