Environmental Policy

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the options for elements of a deposit return scheme on beverage containers. In 2017, the Scottish Government confirmed in their Programme for Government that they would introduce a deposit return scheme in Scotland.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has opened a consultation seeking views on a new Clean Air Strategy, and on actions to improve air quality by reducing pollution from a wide range of sources, including tackling wood burning, air pollution from scented cleaning products and encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles

HM Treasury has published a consultation seeking views on how changes to the tax system or charges could be used to reduce the amount of single-use plastics Britain wastes

The EU Commission have launched a consultation on ways to reduce marine litter following the publication of the EU Plastics Strategy.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has launched an inquiry into the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan which was published last month. The Committee will scrutinise the Plan’s objectives and proposals. As part of the inquiry, the Committee has launched a call for written evidence.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has opened a consultation on ways to reduce litter and increase recycling / reuse of drinks containers, including deposit and reward and return schemes to inform the work of the Voluntary and Economic Incentives Working Group who are currently considering the feasibility of a deposit return scheme in England.

The Mayor of London's Office has opened a consultation on the draft London environment strategy. The strategy considers action in areas including: air quality, green infrastructure, climate change mitigation and energy, waste, adapting to climate change, and ambient noise.

The House of Commons Environment Audit Committee have launched an inquiry into coffee cups and plastic bottle waste.  The inquiry will look at what actions are being undertaken by industry and Government to reduce waste generated by coffee cups and plastic bottles, and investigate possible solutions, including deposit return schemes.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has launched an inquiry into the economic, social, and environmental impact of food waste in England.

The Committee will examine the impacts of food waste with a focus on consumers, the retail and hospitality sectors, and local government.

ACS' response can be found below.