"Extended producers responsibilities (EPRs). EPRs are based on the polluter pays principle, which simply means that manufactures of these products are responsible to help with clean-up and recycling." A good step toward paying all costs - which will move these companies to produce less or none - and in an effort of doing so, influence our consumer behavior to use less single use - or even other types of plastic...
Take action to ensure polluters pay for their role in the single-use packaging crisis
The UK Government is currently consulting on a major reform to packaging legislation in a move that could force producers to foot the bill for dealing with ever-growing mountains of single-use packaging waste.
We are urging tougher measures to clamp down on pointless packaging altogether and drive a transition away from our single-use society.
You can help by sending an email supporting these core principles for revamping the system! Just copy and paste the text at the end of this article (adding any additional points you may wish to make as to why it’s time to get tough on single-use packaging) and send it to packaging@defra.gov.uk by 13 May.
- Address the root cause of the problem: A significant reduction in single-use packaging is needed to close the gulf between packaging use and recycling levels in the UK. The EPR scheme must be designed to encourage a wholescale move away from non-essential packaging, with a shift into reusable and refillable alternatives
- Make sure ‘full costs’ mean full costs: Packaging doesn’t just become a problem at the point of disposal. From sourcing through to consumption, there are social and environmental costs all along its life cycle. Producers must be made to consider these under EPR requirements to properly satisfy the ‘polluter pays principle’
- Set producer fees to ensure sustainable design: Non-recyclable, excessive and toxic packaging must be phased out through the ‘approved list’ for packaging design, with a fee system designed to encourage reusable and sustainable design choices
- End the shameful social and environmental impacts of so-called ‘recycling’ exports: The UK must end its reliance on exporting waste overseas, focusing instead on building a circular economy in the UK. The very highest environmental and social responsibility standards must be met for any future waste exports
- Implement robust monitoring and full transparency: Strong accountability and enforcement measures must be put in place, with third party audits rather than self-monitoring by producers.
Summary of Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act of 2020
- Require Product Producers to Take Responsibility for Collecting and Recycling Materials
- Require Nationwide Beverage Container Refunds
- Source Reduction and Phase-Out Certain Polluting Products
- Carryout Bag Fee
- Minimum Recycled Content Requirement: Plastic beverage containers will be required to include an increasing percentage of recycled content in their manufacture before entering the market. Additionally, the EPA will be required to implement post-consumer minimum recycled content for other covered products after a review with the National Institute of Standards and Technology is completed to determine technical feasibility.
- Recycling and Composting
- Plastic Tobacco Filters, Electronic Cigarettes and Derelict Fishing Gear
- Prevent Plastic Waste from Being Shipped to Developing Countries that Cannot Manage It
- Protect Existing State Action
- Temporary Pause on New Plastic Facilities
