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City to Sea: 73% of adults support single-use packaging ban

A City to Sea poll of 2,000 adults has shown that 73% of respondents support a ban on single-use packaging.  

Plastic pint cups single use

Conducted by Yonder, the poll also revealed that 64% agreed that a ban on single-use plastic in dine-in settings must be implemented.  

This would be similar to legislation in France where brasseries, cafés and multinational chains with more than 20 seats per venue must provide reusable packaging – a move which has diverted an estimated 180,000 tonnes of waste from landfill since it came into effect in January 2023.  

City to Sea has called on the government to introduce a similar ban in the UK by launching an online petition, which has gathered 30,000 signatures. 

77% of respondents said that they would like to see brands and retailers offer more refill and reusable packaging options. 

The research was launched during a parliamentary reception on Wednesday (23 October 2024) hosted by Alistair Carmichael MP, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA).

Alistair Carmichael MP at Wednesday’s parliamentary reception

During the event, City to Sea urged the new government to respond to the public’s demand and lead the way in reuse, calling for a ban on single-use food service materials in dine-in settings, legally binding targets for reusable and refillable packaging and the introduction of an all-in DRS. 

Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said: “The government cannot continue to drag their feet on the plastic problem as piles of waste continue to line our streets and shores. With an ambitious goal to be zero-waste by 2050, policy needs to be rolled out now to facilitate that vision, including legally binding targets for reusable packaging, an all-in DRS and ambitious plastic bans. 

“Our polling shows a clear statement from the public that they are trying to do their bit, but expect the government to do more, including banning single-use plastic in dine-in settings. All the government has to do is act. City to Sea will continue to work with parliamentarians across the House to deliver decisive action and end the scourge of single-use plastic.” 

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