UK Parliament home

This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

View other petitions from this Parliament

Closed End requirement on producers to financially incentivize export of plastic waste

Closed on

We want the Government to take simple, immediate action to stop UK plastic waste going abroad, by immediately removing the requirement that packaging producers effectively subsidize the recycling industry to export plastic waste through the packaging export recovery notes (PERN) system.

Removing this requirement for exports only, while continuing to incentivize processing plastic in the UK, could stop the dumping of low-grade plastic material in other countries. It could allow the UK plastic industry to compete and also encourage investment in needed infrastructure in the UK. This move could the cost to government while also showing that we are serious about stopping the dumping of low grade plastic waste abroad by removing the financial incentive.

29 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Related activity

    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. 

    Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament

    Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.

  • Petition closed

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 26 November 2021.