Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support the recycling of plastic throughout the developing world.

The Department for International Development is committed to helping developing countries tackle the problem of plastic pollution. We are doing this with a programme of technical assistance in twenty developing countries. We are starting to work with businesses and NGOs to trial new approaches to increase plastic recycling rates manage waste, thereby helping the environment while creating new jobs. We are also investing in finding ways in which manufacturing processes can reduce plastic pollution. For example, we are match funding Tearfund’s plastic appeal to set up recycling hubs in Pakistan.

In addition, the UK provides considerable funding to multilateral organisations who are working with countries to tackle this problem, including some major investments in better waste management services.