Plastic management

SIR – Your article, “Britain must stop ‘passing the buck’ of plastic waste to world’s poorest, MPS, peers and campaigners warn” (December 5), carried calls for the Government to ban plastic waste exports.

Britain is committed to being a global leader in tackling plastic pollution, and to recycling more at home. While there has been a major increase in recycling over the past 10 years, more needs to be done.

However, there is a legitimate export market for plastics, particularly in countries that manufacture products out of plastic waste. Exports can ensure that goods we cannot process here are recycled instead of being incinerated or sent to landfill. This isn’t “dumping”: it is a way to support the economy. But waste and recycling must be well-managed, at home and abroad, and we work closely with the waste industry, Environment Agency and local authorities to safeguard the environment.

The Government has made clear that we will retain current EU waste legislation, and will look at further ways to reduce avoidable waste and recycle more as part of our resources and waste strategy, due to be published soon.

We are already taking strong action to tackle plastic pollution. We have introduced a world-leading ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, taken over 15 billion plastic bags out of circulation, and consulted on plans to ban plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds. We will continue to be an influential presence in the UN, G7, G20, Commonwealth and other global and regional partnerships.

Dr Thérèse Coffey MP (Con) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

London SW1