Big majority of Scots backing crackdown on single-use plastics

Nearly four in five Scots are concerned about the volume of single- use plastics and packaging used across the country – and would support new regulations to limit their use, according to a new survey.

An estimated 300 million plastic straws, 276m pieces of plastic cutlery, 50m plastic plates and 66m polystyrene food containers are used each year in Scotland, analysis prepared by Zero Waste Scotland for the Scottish Government has shown.

A poll commissioned by the not- for- profit organisation and conducted by YouGov found 77% of respondents described themselves as being very or fairly concerned about the items, designed to be used only once.

The survey of 1,004 adults coincides with a public consultation over plans to restrict some of the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic items in Scotland, including plastic cutlery and plastic straws.

The Ma r ine Conservation Society’s 2019 Great British Beach Clean reported an average 492 items of litter per 100m of beach in Scotland, with the majority being single-use plastic or polystyrene.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Most of us don’t ‘ need’ many of these single- use items being consulted on.

“By choosing reusables over disposables, we can still have the benefit without the needless waste and carbon emissions associated with throwaway items.”

Environmental groups are already warning of a new pollution plight brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Accord ing to Greenpeace estimates, 129 billion disposable face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves are now being used each month.

A recent study suggested if every person in the UK used a singleuse plastic face mask every day for a year, it would create an additional 66,000 tonnes of contaminated waste and 57,000 tonnes of plastic packaging.

The Ma r ine Conser vation Socie ty hope this year’s Great British Beach Clean will put a more acc urate number on the quantities of lost or discarded PPE being found on beaches.

Mr Gulland is calling on individuals to use reusable face coverings wherever possible.

“At a time when it has never been more important that we can enjoy our time outdoors, it has been particularly galling that some people have been littering face coverings,” he said.

“Shop-bought and homemade face coverings, as well as other items such as snoods, can be effectively used to slow the spread of the virus.

“By opting for reusables there is likely to be less litter and a reduction in demand for material.”

Discarded PPE is now adding to pollution fears.