According to the Treasury’s summary of responses to the call for evidence, which ran from March to May this year, the majority of those commenting proposed some kind of tax, charge or ban on the retail of single-use items as part of efforts to reduce the impact of plastic on the environment.

The items most commonly referenced included single-use items including cups, plastic cutlery, plastic takeaway packaging and other tableware, and plastic sachets for sauce. A large number of responses also recommended a deposit return scheme for beverage containers.

In its summary of responses, the Treasury said over the coming months, the government plans to explore a number of proposals in more depth. These include using tax to shift demand towards recycled plastic inputs; using tax to encourage items to be designed in a way that is easier to recycle; taxes or charges on specific plastic items that are commonly used on-the-go and littered, in order to encourage a reduction in production and use; and using tax to ensure that the right incentives are in place to encourage greater recycling of waste that is currently incinerated.

The Treasury said it is also looking at how it could further support measures to fund the development of new, greener products and innovative processes that will help ensure a more sustainable future.

Robert Jenrick, exchequer secretary, said: ‘Tackling the scandal of plastic pollution is one of our top priorities and we know the public is right behind us. I’ve been overwhelmed by the public support and the responses we’ve received will be invaluable as we develop our plans for using the tax system to combat this.

‘Our duty to leave the environment in a better state than we found it is absolutely clear and what we’ve set out today is another important step to ensuring a cleaner, greener future for Britain.’

Tackling the plastic problem: summary of responses to the call for evidence is here

Report by Pat Sweet