“Plastic-free city?” UK Birmingham council to decide

07 Sep 2018 --- Birmingham, UK, councilors will decide on September 11 whether to ban disposable plastic coffee cups, drinking straws and other single use plastics. A nine-point plan to make Birmingham the first single-use plastic free city in the UK was brought forward by the opposition Liberal Democrat Party. The plan recommends initially targeting council-run canteens, cafes and events before moving on to private business and other organizations at a later date.

It is hoped that the plan would encourage more consumers to bring their own reusable bags and containers to shops and supermarkets, thereby limiting the levels of plastic waste that is generated.

Reports suggest that street food and fast sellers at council-run public events may be contractually required to provide reusable containers, should the plan go ahead.

The motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat councilors Baber and Jon Hunt states: “”This council is alarmed at the growing evidence of the impact of disposable plastic items on the world’s oceans, fish supplies and the litter on the streets and in the hedgerows of Birmingham.”

“The council notes and welcomes the success of plastic bag charging policies introduced by national governments. It calls for action at a city level so Birmingham makes a significant contribution to reducing disposal of plastics and cleaning up the environment.”

The proposal also reportedly calls for a ban on the sale of cups, cutlery and single-use bottles from council-run eateries in addition to outdoor events. Meanwhile, the motion will push for free water to be provided via water fountains.

Recently, the City Corporation of London launched its Plastic Free City campaign in an attempt to reduce single-use plastics across the Square Mile. The campaign is targeting both big businesses as well as individuals, with the City Corporation itself, including the Barbican Centre and the Bank of England, along with financial services group Nomura and banking and asset management group Investec already signed-up.

The pledge is wide-ranging, from stopping the use of plastic straws, cups or cutlery to registering as a water refill site. The move comes after research found four in five Generation Z workers expect employers to proactively tackle single-use plastics.