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Plastics bodies aim to boost materials' public image
Negative perceptions of plastics among the public and government are to be challenged by a major new campaign due to launch this summer.
Industry bodies PlasticsEurope, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) and the Packaging and Films Association (PAFA) are hoping to launch a wide-ranging debate on plastics and waste management issues through the initiative.
They are aiming to engage MPs, ministers and key opinion formers as well as the general public in an open debate on the environmental issues surrounding the materials.
Plastics have been targeted for their perceived poor environmental credentials by the national media, not least through the anti-carrier bag campaign run by some newspapers - a perception that the campaign will aim to rectify.
It is hoped that through the scheme, which will be launched to MPs in early July, a consensus can be formed on plastic's role in areas such as recycling, energy recovery and waste and resource efficiency.
BPF director general Peter Davis said that the campaign would aim to "bring a better understanding of plastics and what happens when we have used products and put them in the bin".
He added his hope that the campaign would encourage a "big debate across a wide range of people with different views and perspectives".
Peter Davis: campaign will encourage 'big debate'
