​The CoR Plenary session has adopted the opinion of the EA member Cllr Linda Gillham on the Green Paper on a European strategy on plastic waste in the environment.

During the discussions CoR members spoke of the impact of plastic waste on the environment and the considerable harm it causes to the world's marine life. With recent reports estimating that 25Mt of plastic was produced in the European Union alone, of which nearly 50% was sent to landfill, the rapporteur stressed the urgency to introduce stringent measures to deal with this growing problem.

The Runnymede Councillor calls for new targets to encourage recycling and backs the European Parliament’s proposed ban of all recyclable and bio-waste being sent to landfill by 2020. Most of our citizens have embraced the recycling message and expect us to do the best with the waste and recycle or reuse it, she said.

While recognising the considerable differences between  Member States on how they manage their plastic waste, Cllr Gillham proposes a phase-in of the ban and intermediate targets agreed for those lagging behind. Moreover she argues that as well as providing re-use incentives, businesses should no longer be able to distribute free plastic bags to citizens. Plastic bags and containers are seen as a waste product; we must change minds and encourage schemes such as "bags for life". Plastic is not rubbish, it is a complex material and a valuable resource she concluded.