Merton Lib Dems call for action on single use plastics
The Liberal Democrats are calling for local government to take action in reducing plastic pollution across the borough.
Long after it has been discarded, plastic creates greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the climate change emergency. The average London adult buys more than three plastic water bottles every week - a startling 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic bottles are bought across the UK each year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste.
This is why Merton Liberal Democrats are calling for the Council Cabinet to:
- Work with residents, businesses and organisations across Merton to help them go ‘single-use plastic free,’ sharing business support and practical advice to help the transition from single-use plastics to re-usable alternatives.
- Incorporate a relevant workstream into the Climate Change Delivery Plan. This might include, for example, the Council itself becoming ‘single use plastic free’, participation in schemes that encourage the refilling of drinking bottles, the installation of further water fountains, the collection and recycling of a full range of plastic materials, deposit schemes for plastic containers and information for residents and businesses.
The Merton Liberal Democrats believe that if the Council agree to these proposals will drastically help Merton’s fight against plastic pollution and to meet London recycling targets.