News

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has urged London Councils to "bite the bullet" and deal with important issues, such as kerbside collections and energy recovery facilities, rather than "luring the public's attention" to plastic bags.

London Councils announced today (8 November) that it would press for action on shopping bags after almost 60% of respondents to a public consultation were in favour of an outright ban on plastic bags.

But BPF director general Peter Davis said the organisation had "better things to be doing with its time", such as stimulating better collections for recycling and, where recycling is not possible, build plants to regain more energy from waste.

He also criticised the situation where neighbouring boroughs had different collection facilities. "At the moment, there's a lack of joined-up thinking," he said.

The Packaging and Films Association (PAFA) said the industry would not be surprised by the result, but attributed it to a lack of awareness of the "unintended consequences" of removing plastic bags.

"Some 80% of plastic bags are reused in the home for waste, and without them there could be a major impact on public hygiene," said a PAFA spokesman.

He also said that London was "not just the capital city, but a shopping capital".

"It's astonishing that people should imagine going shopping without having something to take their products home in."

The consultation ran from 14 September to 26 October and London Council's Leaders' committee will consider the results next Tuesday (13 November).

It will then decide the final list of proposals for the 10th London Local Authorities Bill to be sent to parliament later this month.