Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey have joined MPs from across the country today to sign a pledge to #PassOnPlastic and reduce consumption of single-use plastics like straws, coffee cups and carrier bags.
This forms part of Sky’s ‘Ocean Rescue’ Campaign, launched in 2017 to shine a spotlight on the issue of ocean health, particularly plastic pollution, and inspire people to make small changes.
Sky’s whale ‘Plasticus’ – made of a quarter of a ton of plastic – is outside the Houses of Parliament today to raise awareness of the campaign and encourage Parliament to go plastic-free.
This morning Minister Coffey was on Sunrise to discuss her personal commitment to this issue and the steps we are taking in the department. We’ve already removed plastic cups from within Defra, and as part of our 25 Year Environment Plan we will remove all consumer single use plastics from the central government estate offices.
This sits alongside the success of our 5p plastic bag charge, world-leading microbeads ban and pledge to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
“Plastic has no place in our oceans, and I wholeheartedly support the work Sky’s Ocean Rescue campaign has done to put this issue in the hearts and minds of the public.
“We have already introduced one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads and removed nine billion carrier bags from circulation, and through our ambitious 25 year plan for the environment I am determined we further crack down on the scourge of plastic choking our oceans.”