Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of setting a precise date for the complete phasing out of single-use plastic bottles.

This Government has not undertaken an assessment of the feasibility of setting a precise date for the complete phasing out of single-use plastic bottles.

In autumn 2017 an independent working group set up under the Litter Strategy for England held a call for evidence on measures to reduce littering of drinks containers and promote recycling. This included seeking evidence on the costs, benefits and impacts of deposit return schemes. The working group has recently submitted its report to Ministers, who will make a decision on next steps shortly.