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Plastics: Waste

Asked by Neil Duncan-JordanLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 30 October 2025UIN 85034

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the volume of exported plastic waste.

Answered by Mary Creagh

We are currently considering the role of exports in dealing with the UK’s plastic waste and how they can compliment domestic recycling.

Defra is committed to building a circular economy that enhances industry competition and capitalises on the UK’s potential in plastic recycling and reprocessing, whilst realising our environmental objectives. The Government’s collection and packaging reforms will help to stimulate investment in the UK reprocessing infrastructure so we can reduce our dependency on plastic waste exports.

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