50 signatures reached
To: Cornwall Council
Ban Plastic Takeaway Containers
Please ban or phase out single-use, petroleum-based plastic takeaway containers and utensils.
Why is this important?
Plastic pollution is a major global problem which impacts our environment and ultimately our food chain. Plastic is now found at all levels of the marine ecosystem right from plankton and the fish we eat all the way up to those devastating images of whales, turtles and seabirds with stomachs clogged up with plastic.
It is not enough that we sit back and do nothing and expect someone else to deal with the problem. Every individual has a responsibility to minimise their plastic waste by recycling, using reusable containers and drinks bottles, refusing single use plastic bags and also by picking up rubbish they see on beaches. However, at some point we need a stance to be taken by our local Councils and Governments to impose bans on wasteful practices. Research has shown that encouragement and education is not always enough - this needs to be enforced by legislation. Alternative technologies are out there - compostable containers are available which are up to the job. Hobart has just become the first city in Australia to recently vote to impose this ban on their takeaway businesses and it is time that the UK stepped up and led the way with this initiative.
Cornwall is world renowned for its beauty and heritage together with its stunning beaches and there have been huge efforts made to improve our beach quality over the years. It is no surprise that national charity Surfers Against Sewage and the beach cleaning movement #2MinuteBeachClean both started in Cornwall. We lead the way with educating people about the dangers of ocean plastic - now let our Council step up and make a real difference to the oceans of plastic which is clogging up our environment.
It is not enough that we sit back and do nothing and expect someone else to deal with the problem. Every individual has a responsibility to minimise their plastic waste by recycling, using reusable containers and drinks bottles, refusing single use plastic bags and also by picking up rubbish they see on beaches. However, at some point we need a stance to be taken by our local Councils and Governments to impose bans on wasteful practices. Research has shown that encouragement and education is not always enough - this needs to be enforced by legislation. Alternative technologies are out there - compostable containers are available which are up to the job. Hobart has just become the first city in Australia to recently vote to impose this ban on their takeaway businesses and it is time that the UK stepped up and led the way with this initiative.
Cornwall is world renowned for its beauty and heritage together with its stunning beaches and there have been huge efforts made to improve our beach quality over the years. It is no surprise that national charity Surfers Against Sewage and the beach cleaning movement #2MinuteBeachClean both started in Cornwall. We lead the way with educating people about the dangers of ocean plastic - now let our Council step up and make a real difference to the oceans of plastic which is clogging up our environment.
