Current situation
Plastics generally, and in particular SUPs are currently wide spread. They contain a number of different types of plastics, especially in the food industry. Not all of these are recyclable and the wide range of different plastics makes collection, sorting and treatment, including recycling, expensive and energy intensive.
The council, in-line with most of the country carries out the collection of recyclable material, however until very recently many plastics were not collected or sent for recycling and would have been landfilled e.g. yoghurt pots and food packaging.
The prevailing problems associated with the use of plastics need to be addressed in order to protect the planet, environment and our own health. The internationally recognised waste hierarchy highlights that waste prevention is the most favourable option, with reuse and recycling following behind.
SUPs go against this hierarchy, encouraging the least preferred options of waste disposal.
South Ribble Borough Council are committed through its statutory and morale roles within the community to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste including SUP’s as possible in all our activities. As part of this approach this strategy sets out the measures that the council will be taking to prevent the use of SUPs within our own activities and how we will use the influence of the council to educate and encourage others to follow suit.