Airports urged to stop handing out plastic bags at security

AIRPORTS were last night told to stop using millions of plastic bags at security and find sustainable alternatives.

Plastic bags are handed out at all major airports in the UK, with more than 13million handed out a year at just London City and London Stansted airports.

Last night the Department for Transport told airports they must “do their bit” to help curb plastic waste.

A spokesman said: “This Government is determined to cut single-use plastic and the use of eco-friendly plastic bags at airports would be a welcome step in the right direction.

“We would encourage airlines and airports to do their bit.”

Charities have also called on airports to replace the plastic bags that are used by passengers to separate their liquids, aerosols and gels when going through screening points.

The bags were part of security measures introduced following attempts by terrorists to blow up several aircraft using home-made liquid explosives at Heathrow Airport in 2006.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) added that airports should “explore alternatives” to the plastic bags.

A Defra spokesman said: “The UK is committed to being a global leader in tackling the issue of plastic pollution.

“We welcome attempts by airports to cut conventional single-use plastic and explore alternatives.”

Department for Transport guidelines state that the bags must be transparent and resealable, but the type of bags handed out is a commercial decision made by individual airports.

Last year, London City Airport started a £10,000 competition to find an innovative partner to help develop a sustainable alternative to plastic bags, and it plans to schedule a trial within the next six months.

London Stansted ran a one-week trial in the lead up to Christmas, handing out 50,000 compostable bags in place of the usual plastic ones.

Glasgow airport is also in the process of switching to biodegradable bags while Bristol airport has already replaced its one million plastic bags with free biodegradable bags.

But Libby Peake, of the Green Alliance, warned that firms should be cau- tious when replacing the bags with compostable versions. “Compostables require separate collection and treatment operations, and in some places in the UK that isn’t yet developed.”

Dr Laura Foster, of the Marine Conservation Society said: “The best solution would be the use of CT scanners, negating the need for bags, biodegradable or otherwise.”

Heathrow last year announced the rollout of CT scanners at its terminals by 2022.