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To: Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Ban polystyrene use in the UK

I believe we need to ban the use of polystyrene used in packaging in the UK. A report has listed styrene as a human carcinogen. It's toxic to humans, causes cancers, it's nearly impossible to recycle, pollutes the environment and ends up in the food chain. I call for the ban of this substance in all packaging and the use of more environmentally, sustainable alternatives.

Why is this important?

I believe we need to ban the use of polystyrene used in packaging in the UK to ensure the health of our people and the planet. Currently, there is a campaign to stop micro beads but this needs to extend to polystyrene. A new report from the National Research Council in the US has upheld the listing of styrene as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” in the National Toxicology Program’s 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC). There is “convincing relevant information” in mechanistic studies that observed DNA damage in human cells that had been exposed to styrene. Not only is polystyrene toxic to humans, causing cancers, it pollutes the environment much like plastic. I have spent many days on beach cleans and have found these particles littered across the shore break. It breaks down into smaller particles which look like food, confusing fish and mammals, who then digest it. The polystyrene, after being digested by fish then ends up in our food chain. I've seen small children playing with this 'snow', I've seen the stomach lining of fish and birds littered with it. These are the fish that die from it, what of the fish that end up on our table? I call for the use of this substance in all packaging to be banned as a matter of urgency. Take away packaging litters our streets, it is extremely difficult to recycle, often ending up in land-fill and in our seas. There are numerous affordable cardboard, vegetable starch alternatives that break down in an environmentally friendly manner, easily preventing the pollution of our planet and our bodies. Please stand with me to ensure that this small, simple change is implemented by our government making a big difference to all of our lives.

How it will be delivered

I'll deliver them in person to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Categories

Updates

2022-07-31 13:46:26 +0100

500 signatures reached

2017-11-29 21:16:44 +0000

100 signatures reached

2017-03-21 19:37:32 +0000

50 signatures reached

2016-11-06 20:44:12 +0000

25 signatures reached

2016-10-27 18:11:14 +0100

10 signatures reached