Why did Munch paint “The Scream” – did he see wet wipe island?

I have just returned from a hiking trip to Norway and, like Japan, I was so impressed with how clean and tidy places were. Delve a little deeper and I started to understand why. Norway has a fully functional deposit and return scheme operating and is considered a sector leader. Their rate of plastic bottle recycling is estimated at around 97% – truly the envy of the world.

However, it might surprise you to know that one reason it works is that homeless people in towns and cities litter pick for the money (deposit). Every morning and evening, you can see people wandering around with big bags rifling through bins and hedges in parks and in train stations, collecting cans and bottles. This is one of those unintended policy consequences that policy makers often worry about. However, don’t judge, in many countries around the world, collecting recycling gives people income. In fact, in Denmark, this is actually a supported activity.

It is timely right now, as negotiations took place last week on preventing plastic pollution, to consider the issue of plastic waste, including bottles. Both the UK and Scottish Governments have aspirations for banning single-use plastics. Scotland has considered a Deposit and Return (D&R) Scheme, but it has not yet been implemented. In the meantime, Ireland has forged ahead. The results from Ireland are truly amazing; the headline figures show that Irish people now recycle 798 million more containers annually. Of course, D&R includes cans, glass and plastics.

However, as far as plastics are concerned, bottles are just a drop in the ocean; plastics have become part of almost every supply chain. It has been with a heavy heart that I read about the plastic pollution negotiations this week in Geneva, and it looks like it has been a major fail, or hopefully a bump in the road, as agreement cannot be reached. However, some places are forging ahead, including Colombia, and there are hopes that China, who is not so plastic dependent, might lead negotiations to ban plastics.

So, you might ask, what does this mean for councils? Well, in the UK, councils continue to strive to recycle bottles; some 99% of councils collect plastic bottles kerbside, and many other outlets collect “soft plastic”. However, plastic appears in many places, for example cigarette butts are a huge source of marine pollution, and plastics and chemicals from this waste stream enter the food chain. I like this fact sheet from Oregon.

Fundamentally, this is a global problem, and the failure to agree on solutions reminds me of the challenges faced at successive COP meetings over the years. You can read LGIU resources on climate change and last year’s report from COP meeting here.

However, as with many areas Councils are able and do to take a leaderships role right now. Many individuals are also taking action and that puts pressure on society. I like this example of pupils taking the lead. There are many, many more. This plan from Glasgow is another council-wide example.

National Governments also play a role bringing forward legislation banning single use plastic, bring forward deposit and return schemes and much more.

Finally, here is one thing everyone should and could stop doing right now – flushing wipes. The practice is disgusting, and just think about the clearing up costs, impacts on the environment and what about folk that have to do the clear up? Better still, please stop using wipes containing plastic, now, no excuses.

Over the next few months, LGIU will be sharing a report on Nature Recovery with examples from Councils, and we will also cover work on a Just Transition, plus covering local government learnings from this year’s COP event.

Want to learn more? Check out these LGIU resources on local climate action

Closing the loop – lessons on making a circular economy work locally

Liverpool City Council read to take a leading role as the world gears up for net zero