The solutions to this problem are as complex as the plastics which cause the problem and have to involve both carrot and stick. Recycling has advanced rapidly over the last decade but hardly keeps up with the increased use of plastic packaging. Some items such as microbeads and straws will be banned. My solution is to make the suppliers of the plastics responsible for their recovery using ISO9000, ISO14000 or even a new standard to set up a formal system requiring producers/users of plastics to report their recovery rates. Then levy VAT on the product (including foodstuffs) according to their audited rate of recovery. A sliding scale could be based on 0% VAT for 100% recovery and 100% VAT for only 50% recovery with a punitive rate for anything less. Food for thought?

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The solutions to this problem are as complex as the plastics which cause the problem and have to involve both carrot and stick. Recycling has advanced rapidly over the last decade but hardly keeps up with the increased use of plastic packaging. Some items such as microbeads and straws will be banned.

My solution is to make the suppliers of the plastics responsible for their recovery using ISO9000, ISO14000 or even a new standard to set up a formal system requiring producers/users of plastics to report their recovery rates. Then levy VAT on the product (including foodstuffs) according to their audited rate of recovery. A sliding scale could be based on 0% VAT for 100% recovery and 100% VAT for only 50% recovery with a punitive rate for anything less.

Food for thought?