Gove to press supermarkets over ‘appalling’ excess plastic
Environment secretary encourages shoppers to buy local
Michael Gove, the UK environment secretary, vowed to push British supermarkets on their use of excessive plastic packaging -- part of a broader crackdown by Theresa May’s government on avoidable plastic waste.
Mr Gove encouraged British shoppers to buy products from independent retailers, arguing that shoppers invest in the local economy when they buy produce from smaller high street shops.
“While I have no wish to undermine Asda, which is an admirable retailer, I find that when buying meat the best thing to do is to go to one’s local butcher – in order to buy locally and to invest in the local economy”, he said in the House of Commons.
His comments came in response to a question from Ian Lucas, a Labour MP, who accused supermarkets of using “appalling” amounts of plastic and follow a promise by the government to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042.
The prime minister Theresa May has called on supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles — with non-packaged items. Speaking earlier this month, she said the government is prepared to “take action at every stage of the production and consumption of plastic”.
Mrs May also announced a consultation on “single-use” products that could see consumers face new taxes on takeaway food packaging, including disposable coffee cups. Plans to extend the 5p plastic bag charge to all high street shops in England as part of an effort to tackle the “throwaway culture” have also been announced this year.
Last week the UK grocer Iceland, citing the “scourge” of pollution, promised to eliminate plastic packaging from its own-brand products by the end of 2023.