Page 51 - Plastics News November 2018

internAtionAL news

M&S joins forces with Plastic UK Parliament to debate

Bank to launch new eco bag in UK plastic-free packaging for fruit
and vegetables
arks & Spencer (M&S) has joined forces with Plastic
MBank to launch a new eco-shopping bag that helps he United Kingdom House of Commons will
prevent waste and reduce poverty among people living Tdebate a petition urging the government to make
in Haiti and the Philippines. Launched in UK stores, the supermarkets offer plastic-free packaging for fresh
re-usable bag is made from 75 per cent Social Plastic, fruit and vegetables. Signed by 123,000 members
which is plastic waste that has been collected and
of the public, the petition states that the move is
necessary due to “the problem of an ever-increasing
amount of plastic waste polluting our environment.”
The government has responded to the petition
saying it is working with retailers and the Waste
and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to explore
the potential for the introduction of plastic-free
initiatives in supermarkets where fresh food is sold
loose. In the U.K., at 10,000 signatures, a petition
receives a response from the government. At 100,000
signatures it is considered for a debate in Parliament.
Moves against single-use plastics have peaked in
the U.K. over the last year, with Prime Minister
recycled by Plastic Bank, a social enterprise seeking to Theresa May pledging to investigate “plastic-free”
stop ocean plastic pollution. Recycling centres in Manila aisles in supermarkets earlier in the year. Unveiling
sort the plastic by type and colour and shred it to create her 25-year environmental strategy in January, May
flakes, which are exported to Vietnam where the M&S said the government would eradicate “all avoidable
bag is made. Plastic Bank encourages people in Haiti and plastic waste.” In addition, a number of key chain
the Philippines to collect waste and take it to one of 36
recycling centres in return for a wage. Collectors can
alternatively exchange waste plastic for blockchain digital
tokens that can be used to buy essential goods such as
food, water, cook stoves and fuel.
The bag costs £1.30 and has been launched as part of
M&S's Plastics Plan, which includes removing 1,000 tonnes
of plastic packaging in less than a year and replacing the
75 million pieces of plastic cutlery given out in its stores
each year with FSC certified wood alternatives. "M&S has
powerfully responded to customer demand for sustainable
products and created an immediate impact on the lives restaurants, supermarkets and businesses, as well
of our collectors,” said David Katz, CEO of Plastic Bank. as the British royal family, have announced planned
"The M&S team has been incredibly committed to our bans on single-use plastics, plastic straws and similar
partnership and thanks to their support, Plastic Bank items over the past 12 months. A BBC Blue Planet II
is empowered to stop more ocean plastic, help more nature series last November, which linked the death
people out of poverty and make responsible production of a baby pilot whale to ocean plastics, sparked the
the standard for businesses everywhere. We couldn't be wave of anti-plastic waste sentiments in the U.K.
more pleased to start our journey together."

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53 November 2018 Plastics News