Glasgow aims to be plastic-free by 2030

Glasgow City Council has announced a Plastic Reduction Strategy, a 24 point action plan that will see the city free of unnecessary plastics by 2030. 

This strategy follows a public consultation on plastic reduction earlier this year that received 1,500 responses.

The strategy includes a feasibility study on a city-wide ban on certain plastic items, a plan to develop a plastic-free shopping zone, plans to extend the number of water stations across the city,  projects that remove plastic waste from the cities waster ways and they will also explore the possibility of a plastic-free school.

The strategy also includes a plan to tighten legislation on single-use plastics.

There will also be a focus on the ‘waste hierarchy,’ which places emphasis on prevention, reuse, recycle and recovery, with disposal always being the last resort.

Andy Waddell, director of operations for the council’s neighbourhoods and sustainability department said: ‘Plastic has become an ever-present feature of modern life and it has any number of vital applications.’

‘From medical equipment to car safety features, computers, and wheelie bins, plastic shows its usefulness time and time again.’

‘But we live in a throwaway society, and we take for granted the impact that flows from treating so many plastic products as instantly disposable.’

‘The plastic reduction strategy is, therefore, seeking alternatives to plastic but also an alternative approach to how we use plastic itself.’

‘Plastic clearly has its place, but aiming to end the unnecessary use of plastic will have a significant positive impact on the environment.’

‘There is already a huge amount of scope for our habits to change and technology is changing so quickly that our norms will be transformed in the years ahead.’

‘The action plan sets a course for rapid change in the initial stages and we intend to update our plans on a regular basis.’

‘This will help us gather momentum but also refine and strengthen the strategy over its lifespan.’

‘The action proposed in the strategy can help Glasgow maintain its position in the UK and across Europe as a leading local authority on sustainability issues.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay