The government wants supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles and intends to inject new funding into plastics innovation, she will say in a speech outlining proposals. Meanwhile changes to the tax system and charges on single-use plastic items such as takeaway containers will also be considered, according to May’s Downing Street office, which released a preview of her remarks. “In years to come, I think people will be shocked at how today we allow so much plastic to be produced needlessly,” May will say. “One million birds, and over 100,000 other sea mammals and turtles die every year from eating and getting tangled in plastic waste. One in three fish caught in the English Channel contains pieces of plastic. “This truly is one of the great environmental scourges of our time.” However, opposition leaders and environmental campaigners were quick to condemn the proposals as dangerously insufficient. Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, the fourth-biggest party in parliament, said Britain should be “eliminating all avoidable plastic waste now — a target of 2042 beggars belief”. Louise Edge, senior oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said the measures “don’t match the scale of the environmental crisis we face. “The overall plastics plan lacks urgency, detail and bite,” she said. “The most glaring gap is support for deposit return schemes” on plastic bottles, Edge added. “We just can’t wait another 25 years before eliminating throwaway plastic.” Among its proposals, the government intends to encourage supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles in which all the food… [Read full story]
Illustrative photo (Source: internet)Jakarta (VNA) - The East Asia Summit (EAS) ontackling plastic waste in the ocean took place in Bali, Indonesia on September6 and 7, with the participation of 85 representatives of EAS member countries.As heard at the function, at least 12.7 million metric tonnesof plastic waste are thrown into the ocean on a yearly basis. Some 80 percentof the waste comes from inland sources due to ineffective management.The conference discussed related management problems andchallenges, while highlighting innovative solutions, policies, privatepartnerships, and education efforts to address the issue.Indonesia and New Zealand co-chaired the conference.The Indonesian delegation to the summit…... [read more]
The Greenovation Challenge contest's poster (Photo: courtesy of the organiser) Hanoi (VNA) - The Greenovation Challenge contest, aimed atseeking initiatives to solve plastic waste issues in Vietnam, has been launchedin Hanoi. The contest is targeted at raising awareness of the youth on plastic wasteissues, in addition to serving as a platform for students to come up withcreative ideas towards community development. The Greenovation Challenge callson all students, the future leaders of the country, to jointly protect theenvironment.The contest is open to all open to all Vietnamese students nationwide, aged18-25, and those who have graduated university less than a year ago.Contestants will work out on their…... [read more]
The Greenovation Challenge contest, aimed at seeking initiatives to solve plastic waste issues in Việt Nam, has been launched in Hà Nội. The Greenovation Challenge contest is targeted at raising awareness of the youth on plastic waste issues, in addition to serving as a platform for students to come up with creative ideas towards community development. The contest is targeted at raising awareness of the youth on plastic waste issues, in addition to serving as a platform for students to come up with creative ideas towards community development. The Greenovation Challenge calls on all students, the future leaders of the…... [read more]
Illustrative image (Source: Internet)Jakarta (VNA) – TheGovernment of Indonesia aims to reduce 70 percent of the total 90 milliontonnes of plastic waste per year, in an effort to protect the environment.Siti Nurbaya, Indonesian Minister ofEnvironment and Forestry, said on February 27 that this is a medium term targetof the country. Nylon bags currently account for 14 percent of plastic waste ayear and cause negative effect to the environment. A pilot tax on nylon bags in shoppingmalls is under discussion by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The use of biodegradable plastic isanother alternative to cut down plastic waste.-VNA... [read more]
The government of HCM City plans to remove twopolluting waste-treatment plants out of the city by the end of 2020 uponthe completion of a new waste-treatment plant in Long An Province's ThuThua District. Councillor Vo Van Tan, who raised the issue at ameeting of the city's People's Council on Thursday, said the pollutionfrom the plant in Phuoc Hiep Commune had caused a bad odour that hadeven reached the Cu Chi District's People's Committee's office four tofive kilometres away. Dao Anh Kiet, director of HCM City's Departmentof Natural Resources and Environment, said the Phuoc Hiepwaste-treatment plant would be closed by the…... [read more]
