The TTT Waste Into Resources Group met again in January, with a lively meeting discussing peoples experience of Christmas and mass consumption i.e. how best to deal with (or best avoid) the resultant leftovers and products of excess. Widespread dismay followed the realisation that there is polypropylene plastic in most tea bags (to heat seal them).
Lots of interesting insights were shared and hope springs for the New Year following recent government noise about action against plastics and encouraging greater and more determined recycling. This of course comes in the wake of the imminent Chinese ban on importing British recyclables. The news about a possible 25p charge/levy for disposable coffee cups certainly got people talking. Equally exciting, an outright ban on the manufacture of cosmetic and personal care products containing microbeads came into effect on 9 January. Hooray!! Then on 11th January the government committed to pledging zero avoidable plastic waste by 2042 (how long? I hear you cry!) by announcing their new 25 year environment plan. Behind this the recent Govt. office report ‘From Waste To Resource Productivity’ has certainly laid down the gauntlet and highlighted the key areas for action
So with plastic the hot topic on the tips of everyone’s tongues (that might be literally if we don’t see some action soon) we have plenty of motivation and encouragement to help solve one of the real environmental disasters of our time. We hope TTT Waste into Resources group can make headway in 2018 in encouraging the move towards ‘zero waste’. Let’s get between Surfers Against Sewage and their inspiring call to action Plastic Free Coastlines.
To find out more about how to get involved in the TTT Waste into Resources group email Ben: info@dcrn.org.uk
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