BPF Press Release: Stringent anti-litter measures required

The British Plastics Federation is calling for the introduction of more stringent anti-litter and anti-dumping measures to prevent an accumulation of used products on beaches.

Responding to yesterdays publication of the Beachwatch 2007 Report, Peter Davis, BPFs Director General, said:    Used plastics articles have a value to society and should not be irresponsibly disposed of. In use they prevent food wastage. They bring improved hygiene and healthcare and they save energy because they are lightweight. They have also enabled manufacturers in the UK to move away from older, smokestack industries.

Above all, said Davis, plastics products can be recycled and there have been significant recent increases in recycling.75% of Local Authorities now collect plastic bottles and the number of collection points for the recycling of plastic bags in supermarkets has increased by 40% over the last year. Where recycling is not possible used plastics products can be recovered in energy from waste plants because of their high calorific value.

Strategies to deal with litter on the beaches should focus on personal responsibility with a judicious mixture of carrots and sticks. Education has a big role to play, together with increased collection facilities on beaches. However increased surveillance of beaches and more severe punishments for the perpetrators of littering must feature heavily. A major proportion of litter on beaches is the result of dumping from fishing and other commercial vessels. The owners of these vessels should be held to account. We welcome the call made to port authorities by the International Maritime Organisation to increase their collection facilities for waste.

Davis said that this is a topic best dealt with objectively with a firm grasp on science. The BBC Ten O Clock News coverage was designed to capture public attention. It focused on a beach with a concentration of litter, yet there are beaches where there is little litter. Equally the programme featured dramatic examples of marine wildlife impaired by litter. Yet, in the opinion of several leading marine biologists, there is more evidence of wildlife being damaged by abandoned fishing tackle than by other used products. These are both issues which require further exploration.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Philip Batten

Marketing and Communications Executive

British Plastics Federation

0207 457 5000 / 5007

[email protected]

Philip Law

Public & Industrial Affairs Director

The British Plastics Federation

6 Bath Place

Rivington Street

London

EC2A 3JE

Tel: 020 7457 5000

Fax: 020 7457 5045

E-Mail: [email protected]