Government tinkering around the edges of broken waste and recycling system, says CPRE

Commenting on the 10p plastic bag charge coming into force and the Environment Audit Committee’s recommendations for a fully inclusive Deposit Return Scheme, Tom Fyans, campaigns and policy director at CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘While the new plastic bag carrier charge is certainly welcome, the government can’t keep patting itself on the back for tinkering around the edges of our broken waste and recycling system. Progress to halt the flow of plastic and waste into our countryside has been painfully slow – it's taken three years just to amend the plastic bag charge – a pattern of slow progress that’s all too familiar. Now, the government looks set to endlessly consult on a Deposit Return Scheme rather than getting on with it.

‘Parliamentarians and the public are united in their call for the government to end the waste and litter crisis once and for all. We couldn’t agree more with the Environmental Audit Committee’s findings that an all-in Deposit Return Scheme – proven to drive up recycling rates - is the best value for money option and should be bought in with no delays. If Ministers are serious about tackling the plastic and waste crisis, we must see a fully inclusive Deposit Return Scheme by 2023.’