This is a joint response to the Government's call for evidence on 'Tackling the plastic problem: Using the tax system or charges to address single-use plastic waste', produced by CPRE, Greenpeace, Marine Conservation Society, Environmental Investigations Agency and Surfers Against Sewage. The group commissioned research from Eunomia Research and Consulting, which feeds into the recommendations. 

The full response is available to download below, along with a summary of CPRE's position on single-use plastics. 

This report has examined the impacts of introducing a deposit refund system on the number and type of jobs involved in the collection and processing of beverage containers. From the combination of existing modelling and further research, the overall effect of the introduction of a scheme in the UK is predicted to lead to an increase in the number of jobs available by between 3,000 and 4,300 full-time-employees, depending on whether or not reprocessing jobs are included, as well as resulting in an overall increase in the number of higher-skilled jobs. The introduction of a scheme will therefore lead to an increase in green economy-based jobs.

Our research for a drinks container deposit scheme covering glass bottles, plastic bottles and cans shows it would cost little to set up, and would generate revenue to support most of its own running costs. The research demonstrates how a scheme would help the Government achieve a ‘Zero Waste’ economy by increasing recycling rates, and reducing litter.

Our research for a drinks container deposit scheme covering glass bottles, plastic bottles and cans shows it would cost little to set up, and would generate revenue to support most of its own running costs. The research demonstrates how a scheme would help the Government achieve a ‘Zero Waste’ economy by increasing recycling rates, and reducing litter.

This is a summary of the full report.

CPRE and The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have worked together to produce a creative and inspiring litter education pack for schools. The resource pack, includes shocking facts about litter and powerful photographs that show wildlife injured by carelessly dropped rubbish, and the wider damage litter has on our environment. Practical activities and lessons encourage children to understand the problem of litter and the harm it can do to wildlife and the wider environment. Teachers will find the suggested activities and lesson ideas can be related across all subject areas of the curriculum.

Our guide to Litter Abatement Orders explains how any member of the public fed up with a litter hot spot can take action to get the area cleaned up. By documenting the problem and complaining to the land owner you can seek a Litter Abatement Order through the Magistrates’ Court if no action is taken to get the area cleaned. Follow our step by step guide for more information.

Commissioned by CPRE from the Policy Exchange, this report looks at the reasons behind the 500% increase in littering since the 1960s. It goes on to explore the consequences of this trend for local authorities, companies and communities, using polling, psychological experiments and drawing on examples of effective prevention from Australia and America.  Litterbugs concludes with a series of simple and cost-effective recommendations that utilise education, community pride, psychology, design and existing laws.