Agenda item

The following notice of motion has been submitted by Councillor G Hook and supported by Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, Keeling, Nutley and Rollason:

" This Council notes with concern

+ That 300 million tonnes of new plastic is made each year, half of which is for single use plastic such as packaging and convenience foods. In many cases, such as plastic straws, takeaway food containers and coffee cups, there are practical alternatives available that are either reusable or sustainable.

+ That in 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that by weight, there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish, as soon as 2050. As plastics are durable and strong they will stay in the environment for up to an estimated 600 years. (Columbia University)

+ That marine plastic leads to coastal/offshore dead zones, entanglement, death through ingestion, toxic transfer and, once degraded into micro plastics, contamination of the food chain... including our own. We are quite literally eating the plastic that has ended up in our seas.

 Council welcomes

+ Moves towards Deposit Return Schemes

+ The success of the "Plastic Bag Levy" introduced by the Coalition Government of 2010-15, which has led to a 90% reduction in plastic bag usage.

+ The success reported from councils both in Devon and around the country in reducing plastic waste and improving recycling figures by the introduction of a three weekly residual waste service.

Therefore this council commits to playing its full role in reducing plastic waste, specifically 

+ That the Council will undertake an audit, within existing resources, of single use plastics used by the Authority and seek to replace with sustainable or renewable alternatives wherever practical.

+That the Council will play its part in educating the public about plastic waste, specifically by including information on reducing plastic waste in both online and written materials.

+ That the council will introduce, following appropriate trials, a three weekly residual waste collection scheme to encourage plastic recycling ( as well as all other recycling) and thus start to improve our recycling figures which have been flat lining for far too long.

+That the Council will use its best offices to work with all other local authorities in Devon to achieve a Devon wide consensus to see a similar system implemented by all collection authorities within the county

+ To write to both our members of Parliament and the European Parliament, and to the secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging them to consider legislation and regulations which will reduce the amount of single use plastic used by society

+ To use all links that we have with business in Teignbridge to encourage them to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced and specifically to contact our major supermarkets asking them to consider introducing a "plastic free aisle" in the local stores on a trial basis.”

Members considered a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor G Hook and supported by Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, Keeling, Nutley and Rollason:

"This Council notes with concern:

·         That 300 million tonnes of new plastic is made each year, half of which is for single use plastic such as packaging and convenience foods. In many cases, such as plastic straws, takeaway food containers and coffee cups, there are practical alternatives available that are either reusable or sustainable.

·         That in 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that by weight, there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish, as soon as 2050. As plastics are durable and strong they will stay in the environment for up to an estimated 600 years. (Columbia University)

·         That marine plastic leads to coastal/offshore dead zones, entanglement, death through ingestion, toxic transfer and, once degraded into micro plastics, contamination of the food chain... including our own. We are quite literally eating the plastic that has ended up in our seas.

Council welcomes

·         Moves towards Deposit Return Schemes

·         The success of the "Plastic Bag Levy" introduced by the Coalition Government of 2010-15, which has led to a 90% reduction in plastic bag usage.

·         The success reported from councils both in Devon and around the country in reducing plastic waste and improving recycling figures by the introduction of a three weekly residual waste service.

Therefore this council commits to playing its full role in reducing plastic waste, specifically

·         That the Council will undertake an audit, within existing resources, of single use plastics used by the Authority and seek to replace with sustainable or renewable alternatives wherever practical.

·         That the Council will play its part in educating the public about plastic waste, specifically by including information on reducing plastic waste in both online and written materials.

·         That the council will introduce, following appropriate trials, a three weekly residual waste collection scheme to encourage plastic recycling ( as well as all other recycling) and thus start to improve our recycling figures which have been flat lining for far too long.

·         That the Council will use its best offices to work with all other local authorities in Devon to achieve a Devon wide consensus to see a similar system implemented by all collection authorities within the county

·         To write to both our members of Parliament and the European Parliament, and to the secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging them to consider legislation and regulations which will reduce the amount of single use plastic used by society

·         To use all links that we have with business in Teignbridge to encourage them to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced and specifically to contact our major supermarkets asking them to consider introducing a "plastic free aisle" in the local stores on a trial basis.”

Cllr J Hook advised that plastic pollution had become a frontline issue.  Plastic was not biodegradable and would eventually find its way into the food chain.  She highlighted the amount of plastic used advising a responsible local authority would do more to recycle, advising that currently less than 10% of plastic was recycled.  She expected widespread public support for the motion and hoped there would be cross chamber support.

The Leader, in response, advised he understood the issues, highlighting that Teignbridge sent no waste to landfill.  Further that a detailed report would be provided to Executive to consider.

Cllr Morgan voiced her support for the motion.

The Chairman advised that the Notice of Motion would be referred to the Executive for consideration.