The Government wants to leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it. The 25 Year Environment Plan that was published on 11 January outlines the steps that will be undertaken to achieve that ambition, including new measures to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042.

This Government is already a world leader in tackling plastic waste, not only banning microbeads but also taking nine billion plastic bags out of circulation with our 5p carrier bag charge.

We recognise, however, that more needs to be done to protect our environment from the scourge of plastics.

The Government is looking at how the tax system or charges could further reduce the amount of waste arising from single-use plastics, with the publication of a call for evidence on 13 March. This evidence will help inform policy on an introduction of charges on plastics, including the petition’s recommendation of a 5p charge on single use plastics. The deadline for the call for evidence is 18 May, and it would be premature to opine in detail on possible changes at this point.

Call for evidence:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tackling-the-plastic-problem

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs