U.K. Media: 18th November 2017. (including: TheTimes, The BBC, Sky News).

 

Tax on plastic linked takeaway food boxes to be considered:

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A new tax by the U.K. Government is being considered for takeaway food boxes in an attempt to tackle the problem of increasing amounts of plastic waste and the inability to cope with recycling thereby leaving plastic/pe lying inert in landfill for hundreds of years.

In November's Budget, the U.K. Chancellor Philip Hammond, has called for evidence on whether a tax on the use of the most environmentally damaging

single-use plastics as part of attempts to cut plastic waste.

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Single-use plastics in packaging include plastic & plastic lined takeaway boxes

plus polystyrene.

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Greenpeace was quoted as saying: ocean plastic pollution was "a global emergency".

The British Retail Consortium, which represents the big supermarkets, said that it was concerned that the new taxes might mean that prices for products would have to rise.

Campaign groups welcomed the move.   Tisha Brown, of Greenpeace UK, said: “The Treasury’s announcement is a statement of intent,  but it recognises the significance of the problem and the urgent need for a solution.

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