Carmichael says UK government should be ‘more ambitious’ with plastic waste targets

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, is to lead a debate on the Government’s policy regarding plastic waste in the ocean later today, Wednesday.

The North Isles MP has said he will be challenging the government to be more ambitious with their targets, during the debate which will take place at 2:30pm and will cover the Government’s commitments to clean up the oceans as well as the other steps needed to deal with this crisis.

This follows the MP leading an emergency debate on the subject at Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference two weeks ago, and as part of a consistent campaign to stop the excessive use of plastic.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Carmichael said: “The Government have started to take action on plastic waste, which is encouraging, but they must be much more ambitious if they are to reverse the tide of plastic flowing into our oceans.

“A deposit return scheme is essential, and I will be making the case for a comprehensive plan which ranges from changing consumer behaviour, to what we do with the plastic once it has been returned, as well as some other ideas which need further development, like the “Latte Levy”.

“These are big challenges, and they require big, international solutions, so I will be listening out for what steps the minister is taking to work with other nations to deliver the changes we need.

“We need to find a way of changing our relationship with plastic and challenging our throw-away culture. I hope this debate will be part of that mature discussion, and that the Government will deliver an improved plan to protect our marine environment.”