The Government is “dragging its feet” over pledges to ban single-use plastics, campaigners have warned - a full year since ministers pledged tougher action.
More than 50,000 people responded to the Tories' call for evidence last year, and overwhelmingly demanded an immediate end to sales of single-use plastic cutlery and burger trays.
Green group City to Sea blasted the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) over its inaction, with England now the only country in Europe without legislation banning one-use plastic plates, cutlery and food containers.
Ministers have promised to ban one-use plastics in April 2023 - but environmentalists want the ban brought forward as plastic waste clogs Britain’s rivers and seas.
The EU cracked down on polluting plastic waste last July, while Scotland and Wales have also introduced laws banning these items.
Steve Hynd, City to Sea’s Policy Manager, said: “We were promised a green Brexit. Instead, we’re spending years chasing Defra to implement the very basic environmental standards that have [long] been in place across Europe.”
The Government claims the UK is a “world leader” on the issue, but Mr Hynd slammed the Conservatives’ “foot-dragging”
The campaigner added: “It’s time we lived up to our own billing. Let’s crack on and ban the most polluting items, set legally binding targets for reduction, and transition to reuse and refill.”
More than 118,000 people signed a petition form City to Sea and petition site 38 Degrees to demand action to ban plastic cutlery, which was handed into Downing Street by campaigners a year ago.
Nearly all of those responding to the government’s consultation backed a one-use plastics ban – including cutlery, plates and polystyrene food containers. And nearly two-thirds said the ban should kick in sooner than the government’s April 2023 start date.
Megan Bentall, Head of Campaigns at 38 Degrees, said: “After a year of inaction, companies have continued to churn out harmful, polluting and wasteful plastics. It's time to see a proper ban. The public overwhelmingly supports it - and they won't accept further delays."
A Defra spokesperson said: "HM Government is currently analysing the responses which will be published on the Defra website shortly."
