Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Plastic waste

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Jul 2021 Closed: 4 Aug 2023 21 recommendations 9 conclusions 1 report

Despite growing awareness of the effects of plastic pollution, a large proportion of plastic waste is still not recycled, and the UK currently exports large quantities of plastic packaging overseas, where it may end up being managed unsustainably. The UK Government has set a target of eliminating all 'avoidable' plastic waste by 2042, with a …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - The price of plastic: ending the toll of pla… HC 22 7 Nov 2022 30 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
11 Recommendation Third Report - The price of plastic: en… Deferred

The new Government should publish, in 2023/24, its plan for reuse and refill obligations that...

The new Government should publish, in 2023/24, its plan for reuse and refill obligations that will be introduced in 2025 under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, so that businesses can begin the process of adapting their product The price of plastic: ending the toll of plastic waste 59 designs …

Government response. The government intends to come forward with proposals for reuse/refill obligations in 2024, including measures like targets and obligations on businesses that use packaging, and whether there is a role for modulating fees.
17 Conclusion Third Report - The price of plastic: en… Deferred

We welcome the previous Government’s efforts, through the Plastic Packaging Tax and other reforms, to...

We welcome the previous Government’s efforts, through the Plastic Packaging Tax and other reforms, to increase the demand for recycled plastics and thereby its aim to make the recycling sector more investable in the long run, helping the UK boost its recycling capacity. However, further action is needed to increase …

Government response. The government is developing a 'Waste Infrastructure Roadmap', intended for publication in 2023, to support investment decisions across the waste management sector by presenting data on waste arisings and current infrastructure capacity in the UK.
18 Recommendation Third Report - The price of plastic: en… Deferred

We call on the new Government to commit to its predecessor’s welcome decision to use...

We call on the new Government to commit to its predecessor’s welcome decision to use some of the money generated via its reforms to support investment in recycling capacity. We recommend that the expected infrastructure roadmap—anticipated in late 2022—provides detailed information about how much investment will be provided over what …

Government response. The government is developing a 'Waste Infrastructure Roadmap', intended for publication in 2023, to support investment decisions across the waste management sector by presenting data on waste arisings and current infrastructure capacity in the UK.
28 Recommendation Third Report - The price of plastic: en… Deferred

We reiterate our recommendation that reporting requirements under Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging should cover...

We reiterate our recommendation that reporting requirements under Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging should cover those businesses producing one tonne or more of packaging in order to capture as much data as possible. The Government must ensure that requirements upon producers to provide information are comprehensive and includes full details …

Government response. The government will review the implementation of the 25 tonne (T) de-minimis in 2026/27 as part of their wider review of pEPR before considering changing the threshold, and has published guidance on data producers need to collect.

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
10 May 2022 Chris Preston · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Jo Churchill MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Molyneux · Environment Agency View ↗
22 Mar 2022 Dr Carolyn Deere Birkbeck · Forum on Trade, Environmental Sustainability, Dr Tim Rotheray · Viridor, George Riddell · Ernst & Young LLP, Megan Randles · Greenpeace UK, Mr Jacob Hayler · Environmental Services Association, Nihan Temiz Ataş · Greenpeace Mediterranean View ↗
18 Jan 2022 Jenny Grant · Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), Kathy Page · Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Andrew Dove · University of Birmingham, Professor Mark Miodownik · University College London, Professor Michael Shaver · University of Manchester, Professor Rachel Rothman · University of Sheffield, Richard Daley · ReNew ELP, Steve Fletcher · University of Portsmouth View ↗
7 Dec 2021 Andrew Opie · British Retail Consortium (BRC), Hellen Stirling-Baker · British Independent Retailers Association, Jude Allan · IOM3 Packaging Society, Kevin Vyse · ProAmpac RAP, Sian Sutherland · A Plastics Planet, Steven Butts · Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd View ↗
30 Nov 2021 Adrian Whyle · Plastics Europe, Dr Adam Read · SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, Mr Barry Turner · British Plastics Federation (BPF), Mr Richard Hudson · Chartered Institute of Waste Management, Paula Chin · WWF-UK, Susan Evans · Green Alliance View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
16 Jun 2022 To cttee Letter from Minister Churchill to the Committee regarding Plastic Waste, dated …