Baku. 23 January. REPORT.AZ/ Op-Ed by the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Carole Crofts
We have all seen shocking images of sea creatures trapped in plastic containers. We have heard that plastic is entering the food chain and contaminating the food we eat. We are becoming increasingly aware that we all need to respond to protect our planet and the places where we live.
The UK has taken action by introducing a 10 gepik charge – which is donated to charity - for using a plastic bag in a supermarket. This simple change has produced a dramatic positive effect. Since we introduced the scheme, the number of bags used has gone down by more than 80% in England.
The British Government estimates that over the next 10 years the benefits of the scheme will include:
an overall boost of more than £780 million to the UK economy
£730 million raised for good causes
£60 million savings in litter clean-up costs
Reduced carbon usage, helping to address climate change
The British government is now considering extending the scheme to shops of all kinds and doubling the cost of a bag, to drive down plastic waste even further.
At the British Embassy we have taken additional local action by eliminating single-use plastics of all kinds and recycling.
I am delighted that the Ecology Ministry is taking effective action here too. Governments provide the legal framework and incentives for us. But this is an area where individual and corporate action matters too. Businesses can stop using wasteful single-use plastics now. Consumers can demand change now by refusing a plastic bag in shops or a plastic straw in restaurants. We all have a role to play.
My wish is for the global response to plastic waste to gather momentum and for us all to play a part in reducing, reusing and recycling our waste.