Environmental campaigners praise drive to cut plastic... but urge Government to do more

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Environmental experts today welcomed a drive to cut the amount of plastic washing around the seas — and urged the Government to go further.

Angela Hatton, director of science at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, called for measures to switch bottle and packaging makers to new plastics that break down over time.

She praised Environment Secretary Michel Gove who today vowed action by the “end of the year” towards a ban on plastic straws, cotton buds, drink stirrers and other disposable items.

“We can replace the types of plastics to make them more recyclable,” Ms Hatton urged, adding that “composting” materials were becoming available.

Mr Gove told the Today programme that fears the Government was not setting a clear timetable were unfounded.

Best plastic straw alternatives - in pictures

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“We are perfectly clear that we are going to ban these plastic items,” he said. “The purpose of this consultation is to make sure that when we do bring in that ban — and we want to bring it in at pace — that we have it properly.”

Prime Minister Theresa May aims to win a pledge from most Commonwealth countries tomorrow to support such action and save sealife.

“Plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world, which is why protecting the marine environment is central to our agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,” she said.

Announcing the consultation on a possible ban, ministers said 8.5 billion plastic straws were thrown away in the UK every year.

The Standard has highlighted the problem with its high-profile The Last Straw campaign

Mrs May claimed the UK was a “world leader” on tackling plastic waste, pointing to the charges that have been introduced for plastic bags, the ban on microbeads and the announcement last month of a consultation on introducing a deposit return scheme for drink containers in England.

“Alongside our domestic action, this week we are rallying Commonwealth countries to join us in the fight against marine plastics,” she said. “The Commonwealth is a unique organisation, with a huge diversity of wildlife, environments and coastlines.”

Bosses at the Oval today unveiled plans to make the south London Test match venue entirely plastic free by 2020. Richard Gould, chief executive of Surrey County Cricket Club, which has its home at the ground, said: “Not all this stuff can happen overnight but we know exactly where we want to go.”

The club already has reusable plastic cups for beer and plans to ban plastic straws, introduce compostable coffee cups and stop giving out plastic bags in the shop.

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