Planet Patrol is therefore also calling for more transparent reporting, from both Government and major supermarkets, on the overall volume of plastic bags sold and how proceeds from charges – including Bags for Life – are used. Currently, there are no requirements for reporting on sales volumes of Bags for Life.
“The delay on introducing the increased bag levy demonstrates that this intervention isn’t considered serious by the government,” says Planet Patrol founder Lizzie Carr. “The charge is a hollow attempt to demonstrate action whilst simultaneously allowing retailers to evade the reach of legislation.”
Planet Patrol’s litter data, collated by more than 25,000 volunteers around the world who have collected over 331,000 pieces of litter in 83 countries worldwide, shows plastic bags are one of the 10 biggest pollution types across the UK.
“More plastic is being used than ever in the production of bags and the levels of pollution we’re witnessing in nature are at an all-time high. The plastic crisis is intrinsically linked to the climate crisis, so if the government is sincere in its ambition to be a world leader in tackling plastic waste and its commitments to a green recovery, then plastic bags sales must be properly scrutinised and closed-loop solutions adopted.”
The open letter has received cross-party parliamentary support as well as celebrity, academic and environmental justice backing including Fearne Cotton, Thandie Newton, Lady Amelia Windsor, Iris Law, Laura Whitmore, Bonnie Wright, Melissa Hemsley, Laura Crane, Livia Firth MBE, Professor Daniel Parsons, Professor Brendan Godley, Maria Westerbos (Director of Plastic Soup Foundation), Daisy Kendrick (Author and Co-Founder of Ocean Generation) and Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One (CEO, COO and Co-Founders of OLIO), Natalie Fée (Founder and CEO of City to Sea) and Trewin Restorick (CEO and Founder of Hubbub).
Planet Patrol is calling the general public to support The Big Bag Ban by putting additional pressure on local MPs to support the ban and requesting transparency in reporting from retailers. People can support the campaign by taking the pledge and supporting on social media using #BagYourselfAKeeper.