Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, has hailed the success of the Plastic Free Parliament campaign following confirmation today that the House of Commons will be cracking down on single use plastics.
In a statement today, Sir Paul Beresford, Chair of the Administration Select Committee, announced that over the next twelve months, the House of Commons will:
End sales of water in plastic bottles
Introduce a 25p additional cost for using single use coffee cups
Incentivise use of reusable cups through additional loyalty rewards
Selling reusable cups to encourage behaviour change
Introduce fixed condiment dispensers to replace plastic sachets
Replace disposable catering items that are currently plastic with compostable
Replace plastic cups with compostable ones
Replace plastic bags with paper ones
As well as a raft of other measures designed to help Parliament operate more sustainably.
Commenting, Steve said:
“This is great news and a brilliant result to the positive campaign that is the result of many people and organisations working together. I am pleased to have particularly worked with Surfers Against Sewage and Sky Ocean Rescue to achieve this great progress in just months.”
“The changes announced today show that real change can be achieved through grassroots movements.”
“I am delighted that Sir Paul recognised the role played by Surfers Against Sewage and by extension the work so many in Cornwall are playing in driving the change we need to look after our environment and live more sustainably.”
“There’s still more to do though and I will continue working on both local and national campaigns to lead the fight against plastics waste polluting our seas.”