Newsletter issue 21
14th November 2024
Plastic Free Communities
Plastic Free Swindon has been part of Friends of the Earth (FoE) since its inception. This was because our campaign launched as part of the now defunct Swindon Climate Action Network. FoE moved their focus away from plastic, partly because other large environmental organisations such as City to Sea, Greenpeace and Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) focused on it. Hence we have had little in the way of support from FoE, so the decision has been made to leave. Thanks to FoE.
We have signed up for Surfers Against Sewage's Plastic Free Communities campaign. It is well structured with 5 key objectives which are further sub-divided. We are hopeful that having clear, defined goals, and being part of a nationwide campaign, will help us on our mission and encourage people to get involved. According to SAS, the campaign often acts as a springboard for further community efforts. SAS offer all kinds of support such as insurance, leaflets and posters, a forum and resources for co-ordinators, a campaign logo... Such support is welcome because campaigning on plastic pollution is hard work!!
Work on the Plastic Free Communities campaign will begin next year.
Swindon Community Computing
We've recently joined the Get Connected Swindon network, which is run by SBC. At the heart of this network is digital inclusion; the aspiration to support and empower people, to enable access and provide support for devices and services. Inclusion is a key aspect of equality.
Often proprietary / non-free software:
- Is exclusive, furthering inequality.
- Diminishes diversity.
- Creates imbalance of power.
- Restricts users and developers.
- Threatens security and privacy.
- Is opaque; full functionality may not be known to users.
- Is a key factor in waste and pollution. The article "Proprietary Software is Pollution" makes this case well. It is written by Dr Andy Farnell, author of Digital Vegan.
Important then to understand the benefits of using free / libre software and decentralised services. It is anathema to non-free software and the oppressive model created by Big Tech. Lets stop supporting our own oppression and the destruction of our planet!
I recently contacted SBC leader Jim Robbins regarding the use of non-free software and services in Swindon, making the case for free / libre software and asking what SBC will do to facilitate it. Awaiting response.
SBC's use of non-free software and services
13th September 2024
I asked a question at a full council meeting last year. Apologies it’s taken so long to follow up on the subsequent action to contact you with further information. My question was about the borough council’s use of non-free software and services. There are important issues which arise from this:
-
Exclusivity:
Unless one signs up for certain services or agrees to a private companies’ terms of service, some will be excluded. This is anathema to the borough council’s duty to be inclusive, a key tenet of equality. For example, I choose not to sign up to Zoom because I am concerned about how their data is used, who it is shared with and the purposes for which it’s used. -
Insecurity:
Non-free software is often closed source. This means that the functionality is hidden. It is then imperative to be able to trust the software developers. For example, should we trust Google with our data via Youtube? According to Julian Assange, Google are an arm of the oppressive US government. They supply software and services to the Israeli government and military (Project Nimbus) despite protests from their employees. -
Privacy:
Anyone who goes to the library is subject to their data being harvested by large corporations. Microsoft’s software sends user data to online servers. Google is the world’s biggest advertiser. The browser for use at libraries is Google Chrome, which harvests user data. Why should library users be subject to such invasions of privacy? There are serious concerns about the system of mass surveillance which is being constructed, that it could be totalitarian / Orwellian. I point you towards the Edward Snowden leaks which confirmed collaboration between Big Tech and corrupt governments and their agencies. -
Cost:
Why pay for non-free software and services when free / libre alternatives exist? -
Respect and community:
Free software consists of 4 essential freedoms which respect users and community.
A solution to these issues is to use free / libre software and services. As the name implies, it is a matter of liberty. I strongly urge you to watch "Introduction to Free Software and the Liberation of Cyberspace" by Richard Stallman who developed GNU / Linux. It enthuses the many benefits of free / libre software and its connection to liberty. Further links:
There are free / libre alternatives to non-free software and services. For example:
- MS Windows – GNU / Linux.
- MS Outlook – Thunderbird.
- MS Word – LibreOffice.
- Zoom – Jitsi Meet.
- YouTube – Peertube.
- Google Chrome – Mozilla Firefox.
- ...etc.
Websites such as Prism Break and AlternativeTo list free / libre alternatives to all kinds of software and services.
I am a former software engineer who worked for the BBC. From my current perspective as a political and environmental campaigner, I have come to see how non-free software factors in an oppressive system which reinforces and furthers inequality. As we both know, there are myriad maladies which emanate from gross inequality, including environmental issues such as plastic pollution.
To conclude, I’m asking that Swindon Borough Council provide free / libre software and services instead of non-free. The many benefits are clear. This would fit with the borough council’s duty towards equality and with the recent Swindon Plan. It would also support the Free Software Foundation’s Freedom Ladder campaign, which promotes steps towards digital liberation. I would be happy to elaborate on any points and discuss this further with you / the borough council.
I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Ben Bell
Swindon Community Computing
We were part of a cost of living (aka gross inequality) event at the Swindon Hub in September. Good to be part of and to engage with other organisations which support people during these difficult times. We spoke with BBC Wiltshire Radio about our work.
Swindon Community Computing sessions are on Thursdays 2-5pm and Fridays 10am-12pm at the Swindon Hub.
Keep Swindon Tidy
Bridgemead Sainsbury's
Thank you to Sainsbury's for working with us to try and deal with issues contributing to the littering / pollution at Bridgemead:
- They trialled moving the blue single-use plastic gloves they supply for customers inside the petrol station. However, customers complained. This depicts some of the cultural challenge which arises from a stressed out system of convience. It may be convenient, but at what cost? Instead of using single-use plastic gloves, how about bringing our own reusable gloves, and washing them as necessary? A letter has been sent to the Swindon Advertiser urging local motorists to be considerate of this and act accordingly.
- They now regularly litter pick around their store.
- They "are in the process of making a request to the local council to have one [a bin] installed".
Rodbourne
After finishing Bridgemead, we made our way on to Rodbourne. One of our regular pickers lives there, so we like to support each other. Backsies were especially bad in places. Over a few weeks, we made a huge difference to the area. A bit more work to do in Rodbourne. More on that hopefully in the next newsletter.
Oasis
Keep Swindon Tidy often experience litter and fly-tipping which emanate from businesses which don't take responsibility and look after the land around their premises. This has negative repurcussions for local communities, affecting how an area is treated, and what kind of activities will go on there.
Seven Capital's poor treatment of the Oasis buildings and site are a good example. It's one reason why we've continued, as a plastic-free campaign, to support the Save the Oasis Swindon (SOS) campaign. Leaked plans for the Oasis have raised concerns about the development: that it will look oppressive, will not serve local needs, and that leisure provisions are being reduced. Open spaces campaigner Josie Lewis has written to Jim Robbins, the leader of SBC, to make the case that the leaked proposals are unlawful for various reasons and that councillors should be careful not to break the law.
12th November 2024
Dear Sirs,
I note the council is due to meet tomorrow (Wednesday) and that Seven Capital are due to submit plans and consultation date soon... This email is to remind councillors that the Oasis Leisure Centre site cannot have houses built on that land under the following legislation.
-
The National Planning Policy Framework (Sections under Open Spaces and Sports Facilities)
If you inspect the rear section of NPPF, this covers open spaces and sports facilities. All councillors and consultees should ensure they are familiar with that document. The document states that open space should not be built on. The NPPF also states that developers should "enhance sports facilities" so one wonders why Seven Capital propose to dispose of the sports hall, outdoor sports pitches, skate board park and cycle track. Their proposals for housing do not "enhance sports facilities". Instead Seven Capital intend to remove much of it. Statutory car parking would be required for the outdoor pitches and other facilities. Therefore the current 500 car parking spaces should not be reduced to a mere 200. -
The Open Spaces Act and/or Swindon Borough Councils own Open Space Audit & Assessment states that "Public Open Space should not be built on".
"Public Open Space cannot be disposed of unless it is replaced like for like, in size, quality and accessibility". Quite clearly, there is no alternative space that could equal that Oasis open spce in the town centre. The Council's Open Space Audit & Assessment records open space per ward and sets out the separate categories of open space ward by ward. (i.e. parks, allotments, childrens' and teenagers play areas, sports facilities, recreation grounds, massive open spaces(MOS) and even cemeteries. The Oasis is clearly recorded in the Audit and legally must be kept as Public Open Space. With the towns growing population and the Boroughs intention that it should grow considerably larger, then MORE open space is needed, NOT less! -
As for quantity of open space per population, there should be 3.2 ha of open space per 1000 population.
Am I correct in believe there is a deficit of open space in the town centre. This is based on the fact that the towns population has increased significantly since the Oasis was built i 1976. The towns future planned growth must also be considered in the Open Space Assessment. Please Note I have been informed that no Open Space Audit & Assessment has been carried out since 2014. The previous one was in 2011. Therefore an Open Space Assessment should surely be carried out before any more housing is introduced. -
Bearing the above in mind, am I to understand that councillor themselves cannot do anything that is not allowed, or allow others to do something that is not allowed"
In this instant this would to approve development on open space. -
As for the deterioration of The Oasis Leisure Centre, surely it would be the responsibility of the Leaseholder to keep it in good condition and that SBC should have regularly undertaken inspections to ensure it was. Even if the building was closed to the public.
Childrens and teenagers play equipment should also have been regularly inspected and maintained. I have requested to be shown dates and inspection reports but these have not been made available to me. Am I correct in believing that regular inspections and maintenance was not carried out?
To conclude, I have briefly seen the leaked documents showing the proposed blocks of up to 9 blocks of flats (up to eight storeys high) that will surround the Oasis dome and replace the sports hall, outdoor sports pitches and children's play area.
This clearly contravenes various sections of the NPPF and the Open Spaces Act and/or other legislation.
As councillors, answerable to the electorate, please ensure you do not put your name to anything that is unlawful.
I also understand under planning legislation and/or Standing Orders, that the cost of a Planning Application must be borne by the Applicant regardless whether the Application is refused. This is the risk ANY Applicant take and it is up to the Applicant to undertake their own investigations as to whether their proposal is viable and legal.
Yours faithfully,
J Lewis
13th November 2024
Dear Josie,
Thank you for your email.
Once a planning application is submitted you will be able to make formal representations to it. I would recommend reviewing the application carefully once it is received and make comment on it then. At present there is no application to comment on.
As indicated in the email trail, Seven Capital are likely to undertake some extensive pre-application consultation in advance of formal submission which will be widely advertised and which I would encourage you to engage with.
Kind regards,
Jim [Robbins, SBC leader]
Questions for SBC
We attended the full council meeting in September. Regarding Keep Swindon Tidy, we asked:
-
Community litter wardens are brill. Can they give out pouches for safe disposal of fag butts?
We are following up on this. -
Small shops issue very flimsy plastic bags. Should they be charged for?
They need to be banned, actually! The answer is yes, bags should be charge for in most instances. This is not happening in practise. We previously made enquiries with government ministers and submitted an FOI request to SBC. It was confirmed that this policy is not actively policed. -
Police can fine if photo sent them of car parked on pavement. Is it the same for someone fly-tipping?
Yes. -
When will the joint committee to deal with litter / fly-tipping and waste issues be set up?
As soon as reasonably possible.
Education
Events
Even with an absent co-ordinator, we still maintained a presence at various events over the summer. Thank you Ruth and Plastic Free Swindon mascot, Ethel.
Since then we've attended the freshers' events at both Swindon New College campuses and Arval's sustainability day. Both were excellent with really good engagement.
On message
Sustainable Highworth seem to do some great work. However their focus on plastic 'recycling' is of concern. Plastic 'recycling' efforts, whilst commendable, are highly polluting, continuing a sick system of production, and so can only be a short term endeavour. To effectively deal with plastic pollution, as I very much hope that you're aware, we need to reduce plastic production. Hence I wrote to them but haven't heard back. If you know of, or are part of this group, please get in touch.
8th July 2024
Hi Sustainable Highworth,
You have an interesting website. Nice to see the work that you do towards sustainability in Highworth.
I am writing to you regarding your section on plastic 'recycling'. One of Plastic Free Swindon's key messages is that we need to move away from plastic 'recycling' because it is highly polluting using energy and resources. Please have a read of our article on plastic 'recycling' and a resource called The Life of a Plastic Bottle. The way to reduce plastic pollution is to reduce plastic production. We can do that by reducing consumption and through reuse.
Supermarkets are a big part of the problem, environmentally and socially. Their business models rely on plastic because of it's cheap and light to transport. Yet we don't need to be transporting food so far or treating those in its supply so badly. This points us to an important way to reduce plastic use: Local production can significantly reduce plastic use, and is beneficial in many other respects. Good to support local, independent, and organic!!
Highworth is blessed to have a zero waste shop, Weigh It Up. As with many independents, they support the local community and supply chain. Highworth also has independent organic farms such as Coleshill Organics and Blacklands Organics. How about mentioning them on your website?
The Refill scheme can help us significantly reduce single-use plastics. There are around 430 schemes in the UK including Refill Swindon. The Refill app which shows places where we can refill: water, food, hot drinks and other plastic-free shopping. In Swindon we also provide a local stations app on our website for those without a smart phone. For those without any tech, window stickers are displayed. Swindon has around 80 Refill stations, 3 of which are in Highworth. Our local Refill / zero waste champions article has further info.
Plastic Free Swindon includes Keep Swindon Tidy, Refill Swindon, Growing South Swindon Community, Swindon Community Computing, educational resources, lobbying of local and national government, and events. How about mentioning us on your website?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Ben Bell
Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator
The Birds and Bees radio show
A couple of pieces of note on plastic pollution:
-
The Pacific trade deal:
Why are the Labour government allowing ISDS / corporate courts when they were against them whilst in opposition? -
Plastic Free July:
Tips from Ruth on reducing plastic use.
Growing South Swindon Community
Having lost Jess Halsall, one of our founding members with enormous expertise and enthusiasm for growing projects, it left 2 over-stretched organisers with a lack of time and capacity struggling to run projects. Hence we decided to cut back. We gave up our community plot at the local allotment and converted the bean patch into a herb garden, as it's easier to maintain: rosemary, lavender, sage, oregano and many more... Moving forward, I hope that more local people will value this work enough to get involved.
Refill Swindon
I remember reading that for a sperm to successfully fertilise an egg, it was the equivalent of a human swimming the English channel through treacle. This is sometimes how it feels to campaign. We have aspirations for Refill in Swindon but making it happen has been extraordinarily difficult so far! Our main aspirations are:
- For a water fountain in the town centre. We continue to wait for the under-funded, under-resourced SBC to respond to us on this. I even spoke at a recent full council meeting to try and move this forwards. Patience is most definitely a virtue!!
- To get reuse happening at major events. Our 2 targets are Old Town Festival, and Swindon and Wiltshire Pride.
The promotion of Refill is one of our main foci at events. The scheme can and does have a big impact.
Government
EPR and DRS
We have been waiting years for progress on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). These 2 legislative measures, if enacted well, could greatly reduce plastic pollution. With the new government in place, Councillor Jane Milner-Barry wrote to South Swindon MP, Heidi Alexander, asking for information on both. She sent back the following response from DEFRA.
4th October 2024
Dear Heidi,
Thank you for your email of 21 August on behalf of your constituent, Cllr Jane Milner-Barry of [address withheld], Swindon, about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). I am replying as the Minister responsible for this policy area and I apologise for the delay in doing so.
In our manifesto, the government committed to reducing waste by moving to a circular economy. The Secretary of State has set this as on of DEFRA’s top five priorities. To take this forward, DEFRA will establish a Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising members from industry, academia, and civil society, to lead the development of a Circular Economy Strategy. The Strategy will be underpinned by a series of roadmaps, detailing the interventions that government will make on a sector-by-sector basis.
The strategy and roadmaps will create a future where we keep our resource in use for longer, reduce waste, accelerate the path to net zero, see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs and see our economy prosper and nature thrive.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, which reform the UK’s producer responsibility system for packaging, are due to be brought before parliament in autumn this year, with the aim of these regulations coming into force by 1 January 2025.
Regarding the proposed DRS for drinks containers, the DRS is industry led and UK wide. It introduces a redeemable deposit on single-use in-scope drinks containers which can be claimed back by customers when returned. This will reduce litter, increase recycling rates, create high quality recyclate for producers and promote a circular economy.
The government is committed to delivering the DRS in October 2027, as agreed with the devolved governments of the UK, and in accordance with the Joint Policy Statement published in April 2024.
Between April-June 2024, the regulations cleared the necessary processes with no challenge raised. The next step is for it to be laid in Parliament, as aoon as parliamentary time allows. We are on track to deliver the DRS in October 2027.
The Joint Policy Statment sets out the terms for policy, scope and timings for the DRS. The DRS in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland will not include glass. Instead, glass will be included in the EPR reforms. Wales intend to include glass in its DRS and Welsh Government are developing their approach to materials in scope and the implications for EPR.
We are working closely with the devlolved governments, and we agree on the importance of a shared timeline to the DRS.
Thank you one again for taking the time to contact us about this important issue.
Very best wishes,
Mary Creagh CBE MP
DEFRA
Here are Jane's comments on DEFRA's reply:
It is encouraging to hear that the Government is setting up a Circular Economy Taskforce. However the taskforce is to consist of two academics, two representatives of local government, two members of non-governmental organisations and NINE representatives of industry and trade associations. So, membership is heavily weighted towards the views of industry and trade associations. One might fear that some trade associations think they are still living in the era of “make it, use it and throw it away”. I hope that the Taskforce will come up with the radical vision for the future of the economy that the country needs.
I am very glad that the Labour Government is committed to delivering the Deposit and Return Scheme in 2027. However, it is a great shame that the DRS in England will not include glass jars and bottles, as it will in Wales. I imagine this is due to industry pressure (see above). Glass containers survive from Roman times and if there is any reason why a jam-jar should not be reused indefinitely, like a glass milk bottle, saving all the energy required to make a new one, I cannot think of it.
I am sure that Local Authorities (LAs) will also welcome the news that the revised Producer Responsibility Obligations are to become law this year as LAs desperately need some help with the huge financial burden of dealing with waste.
Pacific trade deal
The Labour government were against ISDS including corporate courts when in opposition yet the mechanism remains included in the upcoming Pacific trade deal. Free trade deals are often used to sell the public out to Big Business by removing human rights, diminishing labour pay and conditions, removing environmental protections... ISDS and corporate courts remove access to justice. There's further info, including a petition, on the Global Justice Now website. There's discussion on this for the Birds and Bees radio show.
We wrote to both local MPs to express concerns and ask for clarification of the government's position. South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander responded to say that she "will contact ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade about the matter you have raised" and come back to us. She hasn't yet done that. We recommend contacting your local MP to ask for ISDS, including corporate courts, to be removed from this and other trade deals.
31st October 2024
Dear Heidi Alexander,
I am writing to you about the UK’s upcoming entry in December 2024 to the CPTPP. As it stands, the ISDS mechanism is still in place between the UK and all member states except for New Zealand and Australia. This could impact the UK’s ability to effectively deal with the ecological crisis (which includes plastic pollution) or risk being fined in private courts by corporations for deemed loss of future profits. In opposition, Labour trade ministers highlighted the dangers of corporate courts and ISDS for the CPTPP and for the Energy Charter Treaty. So why are corporate courts included in this trade deal?
Free trade deals generally serve the interests of large corporations to the detriment of our collective well-being. Canadian companies, for example, have brought 64 cases to corporate courts using ISDS over the last few years. NTBs removed or diminished include environmental safeguards, human rights, labour pay and conditions, animal welfare, and food standards. Gross inequality is the result, and the myriad of maladies that come with that. For further information on the devastation caused by inequality, see the work of The Equality Trust and Danny Dorling.
Will the Labour Party exclude ISDS from being implemented for the UK in the CPTPP and other trade deals?
Yours sincerely,
Ben Bell Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator
31st October 2024
Dear Ben,
Thank you for your email.
I will contact ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade about the matter you have raised and come back to you.
Regards,
Heidi [Alexander, South Swindon MP]
1st November 2024
Thanks Heidi
Ben [Bell, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator]
13th November 2024
Hi Heidi,
Any news on this please?
Kind regards,
Ben [Bell, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator]
End incineration
UKWIN, Greenpeace and around 50 other organisations co-signed a letter to the new Labour government welcoming the their pronounced aspiration to create a circular, zero waste economy and asking for an end to new incineration capacity. Read the full letter.
Global Plastics Treaty INC-5
The final session to decide the global plastic treaty, INC-5, is to take place in Korea in from 25th November to 1st December 2024. As usual, corporations with vested interests are working to weaken legislation. Recognising this, Greempeace have produced this simple action to contact local MPs asking for a strong global plastics treaty. Please sign and share.
Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill
With regards to plastic pollution, the CAN Bill seeks to enshrine in law the reduction of the UK's environmental and health impacts from (plastic) pollution, including overseas!
SBC supports the CAN Bill. According to Zero Hour, North Swindon MP Will Stone supports the Bill. However South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander has not pledged to support the bill. We've written to Heidi to confirm whether or not this is true, and ask for more information. Awaiting response. Zerohour have this easy action to ask Heidi to support and progress the CAN Bill. The Second reading, which includes debate and a vote, takes place on 24th January 2025.
Miscelleneous news
Supermarkets burning plastic = recycling?
We previously mentioned the Bloomsbery report on Tesco's soft plastics take-back scheme. 2 out of 3 trackers from London stores ended up at an incinerator in Turkey via Poland. Under UK law, this is considered recycling.
Everyday Plastic replicated this experiment on a larger scale. They targeted Tesco and Sainsbury's soft plastics take-back schemes. Of the trackers that made it to end destinations, 70% went to incinerators. Again, in the UK, this is considered to be recycling.
In response, the Guardian published a misleading article entitled "Outraged that some plastic you send for recycling ends up being burned? Don’t be" In my opinion, it is one of the worst articles I've read on plastic pollution:
-
'...supermarkets wanted to make our lives simple.'
Did they? Or did they fail to mention the complexity, futility, and outcomes of soft plastic 'recycling' to mislead customers in order to keep their custom? -
'The valuable, high-quality material they are looking for (uncontaminated mono-material)'
Recycled plastic is of little value. It requires a mix with virgin plastics. The process of 'recycling' uncontaminated mono-material requires transport (fuel, parts etc.), energy, and is highly polluting (c. 75 billion microplastics per m³ of wastewater). -
'But it is understandable that the messaging usually takes the form of “please bring your plastic here” rather than the perhaps more truthful (albeit depressing) “we burn some of this”.'
There is no perhaps about it. It's important for the public to understand that plastic 'recycling' is highly complex and not economically viable, part of an unsustainable, unhealthy system of production. Right understanding enables right action. -
'So where is the plastic sorted? Often in other countries where sorting by hand is cheaper.'
Regardless of the environmental or health impacts. -
'This makes plastic one of the most environmentally damaging materials: its abundance and low cost lead people to discard it readily, without a care for the environmental consequences.'
That includes supermarkets. The responsibility is placed solely with consumers, a common tactic of Big Plastic and its advocates. -
'I find pubs and restaurants more willing to offer paper straws to customers – far more than they were with plastic straws.'
Where's evidence for this on a wider scale? -
'The result is potentially more waste than before. Let us not pretend that simply using an alternative to plastic is a panacea.'
Packaging from other materials does have environmental impacts. However, we know that plastic production is plastic pollution, that there is no good way to deal with plastic once made. Hence we need to reduce plastic production and look for solutions. Local production, which could make huge differences to social and environmental impacts including plastic pollution, is not mentioned. -
'So how do we ensure that less soft plastic ends up in an incinerator? Well, we need to rebalance the economics...'
'This would ensure that soft plastic is collected in significant volumes, drive innovation and investment into the UK recycling system, and ultimately increase the value of soft plastic to the waste companies dealing with it.'
Plastic 'recycling' is again offered up as a solution to the problem caused by a system which incorporates plastic 'recycling'. This has happened time and again over the decades leading us to the awful and still increasing levels of plastic pollution. We need genuine solutions: reduction of plastic production, reuse, refill... Supporting local, independent, and organic would go a good way towards these ends. That would diminish the power, profit, and market-share of supermarkets. None of this is mentioned. -
Regardless of whether it is destined to be incinerated for energy, reformed into a park bench or turned into a new piece of packaging, I will continue to stuff it in a bread bag each week and take it to my local supermarket. All in the knowledge that collecting this plastic and sending it off somewhere useful is far better than landfill.'
Plastic is more likely to be incinerated than put in landfill. It is a dirty source of energy with various detrimental facets. Through the supermarkets' soft plastic take-back schemes, plastic travels long distances to be burned. Most soft plastics are not recycled. So why encourage customers to keep buying products with plastic packaging that is not commonly recycled? A solution would be to buy another product with better or no packaging.
TLDR: Supermarkets, convenient and cheap but unsustainable and terrible for society, don't shop at them!! That's my conclusion. Here's a related song you might enjoy.
Plastics in the human brain
It has been confirmed that plastic is entering the human brain through our noses. In fish we know that this causes brain damage. In humans we know that phthalates, for instance, can cause severe autism. So this is troubling news, but hardly surprising considering the levels of plastic pollution.
Legislation suggested by health scientists
Some scientists concerned with health produced their version of a global plastics treaty. Some genuine solutions in there, perhaps due to a lack of interference by lobbyists.
Plastic in tins
I recently contacted Essential Trading regarding the plastic found in the lining of tins of, in this case, tomatoes. The information provided by Essential Trading provides further evidence that unpackaged wholefoods are healthier than packaged, processed foods.
Challenging Big Plastic's lie
"California’s lawsuit against Exxon is about ending the lie that most plastic is recyclable..." Read more. Will the UK follow suit?
More?
Further articles and information on plastic pollution can be found in our library, which is sorted by date and category.
Thanks to all our volunteers!!
That's all for this edition. Thanks for reading, and please give this a share.