This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

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Petition Ban plastic cellulose acetate cigarette filters.

Ban the use of plastic cellulose acetate cigarette filters because of the toxic substances contained within them, and human behaviour around littering. These filters poison water supplies, kill fish and inhibit plant growth.

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This is connected with littering and the fact that many smokers do not dispose of cigarette ends responsibly. Along with the toxic non-biodegradable plastic cellulose acetate, filters also contain poisonous chemicals filtered from cigarettes, including nicotine, cyanide, lead and tar. Such toxic substances are getting into lakes, rivers and oceans, as well as drainage and other human water supplies. Since many smokers cannot dispose of them safely, they should be banned.

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

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MPs call for ban on all plastic waste exports

MPs on the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee have called for a ban on the export of all plastic waste from the UK by 2027 to reduce the country's contribution to global plastic waste pollution. 

Read a summary of the Committee's report on plastic waste

Report on ending the impact of plastic waste

Earlier this month, the Committee published a report on the impact of plastic waste and ways of reducing it. In their report, MPs called on the Government to restrict the amount of plastic that can be exported from the UK. They also called on the Government to step up the enforcement of existing rules to prevent criminal gangs illegally exporting and dumping UK-produced waste. 

The report follows a series of evidence sessions earlier this year, where the Committee questions representatives from charities, environmental campaigners and commercial trade experts. At these sessions the Committee explored:

  • whether the Government’s current ambitions to reduce plastic waste were enough
  • how alternatives to plastic consumption can be identified and supported
  • how England's current plastic exports impact other countries.

Find out more about the Committee's inquiry into plastic waste and read oral evidence from the Committee's inquiry.

What is the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee? 

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is a cross-party group of backbench MPs that scrutinises the administration, spending and policy of the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

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