Plastics (Recycling, Sustainability and Pollution Reduction) Bill

Official Summary

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for promoting a circular economy in respect of plastics, including setting targets and measures for the elimination and recycling of single-use plastics; to require the Secretary of State to establish a taskforce to develop proposals to encourage the use of reuse and refill models of packaging; to require the Secretary of State to report annually to Parliament on the implementation of the strategy; to place a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that UK targets for the elimination and recycling of plastic packaging are more demanding than equivalent targets set by the European Union; to require manufacturers and retailers to pay for the cost of recycling plastic; to require the Government to set annual targets for reducing the quantity of plastic waste that is incinerated; to require the Secretary of State to publish a plan for banning the export of plastic waste by 2027; to make provision for the purpose of reducing the cost of recycling plastic, including measures to encourage the standardisation of plastic packaging; to give powers to the Office for Environmental Protection to enforce legislation relating to plastic pollution; to make provision for the purpose of encouraging the development of sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging; to require the Government to publish a plan for the use of fiscal policy to incentivise investment in recycling infrastructure and sustainable behaviour by consumers and retailers in relation to plastic; to require the Government to publish a plan for agreeing a global treaty on plastic pollution reduction; and for connected purposes.

Summary powered by AnyModel

Overview

This bill aims to significantly reduce plastic pollution in the UK by implementing stricter recycling targets, extended producer responsibility, and promoting sustainable alternatives. It mandates government strategies, taskforces, and plans to achieve these goals, including a potential ban on plastic waste exports.

Description

The Plastics (Recycling, Sustainability and Pollution Reduction) Bill introduces several key measures:

Circular Economy Strategy: The Secretary of State must publish a strategy within six months, setting targets for reducing single-use plastics and increasing recycling rates, alongside monitoring progress.
Reuse and Refill Taskforce: A taskforce will be established to explore and propose methods for encouraging reusable packaging, including potential charges on single-use items and mandatory plastic footprint reporting for companies.
Ambitious Recycling Targets: The UK must set more demanding targets for plastic recycling and elimination than the European Union.
Extended Producer Responsibility: Manufacturers and retailers will be required to pay for the cost of recycling the plastic packaging they produce and sell.
Incineration Reduction Targets: Annual targets for reducing plastic waste incineration must be published.
Plastic Waste Export Ban: A plan to ban the export of plastic waste by 2027 must be published.
Recycling Cost Reduction: Proposals to reduce recycling costs, including standardising plastic packaging, must be developed.
Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) Enforcement: The OEP will gain powers to enforce legislation related to plastic pollution, including imposing penalties.
Sustainable Alternatives: Proposals for promoting sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging will be developed.
Fiscal Policy Incentives: A plan to use fiscal policy (taxes and incentives) to encourage investment in recycling infrastructure and consumer/retailer sustainable behaviour will be published.
Global Treaty Plan: A plan for negotiating a global treaty on plastic pollution reduction will be published.

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government spending on initiatives to support the implementation of its various measures. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text, but costs are expected to include funding for the taskforce, development of strategies and plans, and OEP enforcement.

Groups Affected

Manufacturers and retailers: Will face increased costs due to extended producer responsibility (paying for recycling) and potential changes in packaging requirements.
Consumers: May see changes in product availability and pricing due to shifts towards sustainable alternatives and potential charges on single-use plastics.
Waste management companies: May experience changes in their operations due to increased recycling targets and potentially altered waste streams.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP): Will have increased responsibilities and powers relating to plastic pollution enforcement.
Exporting companies of plastic waste: Will be affected by the planned ban on plastic waste exports by 2027.

Full Text

DISCLAIMER: AI technology is not 100% accurate and summaries may contain errors, use at your own risk. Munro Research holds the copyright for all summaries found this website. Reproduction for non-commercial purposes is permitted but must be displayed alongside a link to this website. Contact info@munro-research to license commercially.