DISPOSABLE plastic bottles, trays and cups could be banned in Scotland in fewer than 15 years, it has emerged.
The Scottish Government plans to bring in new laws to tackle plastic pollution by 2030.
The European Commission says all plastic packaging across Europe has to be recyclable or reusable by the end of the next decade. This will not apply to the UK as a result of Brexit, but Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham told The National’s sister paper the Sunday Herald that she has asked civil servants to look at restricting the sale and manufacture of all non-recyclable plastics.
She said: “We will, in Scotland, continue to match the best possible ambition that there is, and particularly match what Brussels is doing.”
Unveiled last week, the first Europe-wide strategy on plastics includes proposals to reduce the consumption of single-use items and restrict the intentional use of microplastics, such as tiny beads put into toiletries. It also includes measures to boost recycling and cut marine plastics litter, including fishing gear.
The European Commission said this will help tackle plastic pollution, create jobs, boost innovation and cut carbon emissions.
The move has been welcomed by environmental campaigners amid growing concern over ocean waste.
The Scottish Government recently announced its intention to ban the sale of plastic stemmed cotton buds and earlier this month Prime Minister Theresa May pledged to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within 25 years as part of the UK Government’s environmental plan.
Some powers needed for the Scottish ban are currently reserved to Westminster and Cunningham said: “We would be either wanting the UK Government to concede that we could have these powers to go ahead or, alternatively, for the UK Government to sign up to the same ambition and vision so that we are all able to move forward as fast as possible on this.”
Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The plastic bag charge has worked very well, the new ban on plastic cotton buds is a bold move and the forthcoming deposit and return scheme will make a big difference to recycling rates for bottles and cans. The new commitment to be part of the European phase out of single use plastics by 2030, Brexit or no Brexit, is the strongest possible statement that we are serious about getting rid of plastic.”
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