Chancellor’s declaration of war on plastic waste
SIR – The tax on single-use plastic bags had the desired effect of changing behaviours, as reusable bags provide a simple alternative.
However, a tax on single-use plastic items such as bottles, as mooted in the Chancellor’s Budget speech, would be different. While it is possible to have a refillable bottle for water, soft drinks and milk from supermarkets are only supplied in plastic containers. We tried having milk delivered in glass bottles but found that the shelf life was shorter, it cost more and was less convenient.
A tax on single-use plastic containers would be especially unfair on those of us who behave responsibly and put empty plastic bottles in the council recycling container – unless the proceeds were solely used for ensuring plastic waste was removed from the environment and either recycled or destroyed.
Roger Jackson
Stockport, Cheshire
SIR – We are all being told to cut down on our use of plastic, which is good, but the blame for such waste does not rest solely with the consumer.
On a recent shopping trip I came home with plastic bags from three different small shop chains, as well as one from Boots. Strong paper would have done just as well.
Wendy Graham
Finchampstead, Berkshire
SIR – Supermarkets could do much more to cut down on plastics.
I can’t think why they don’t provide recycled paper bags for fruit and vegetables, for example, as many local greengrocers do. I usually try to use the paper bags intended for mushrooms when possible, but often they are too small or in short supply.
Jo Humphreys
Lymington, Hampshire
SIR – I am glad to see that the BBC’S Blue Planet II is raising awareness of the damage caused to our environment by plastic waste. I have cut down my use of plastics as far as possible but supermarkets, having ceased to issue free bags, are still guilty of providing far too much plastic wrapping.
However, my biggest problem is the constant flow of large bags from charities coming through my letter box. I receive at least three a week and cannot possibly fill them all.
Marion Dean
Altrincham, Cheshire