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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to research published by Recoup on recycling rates of plastic plant pots, what steps she is taking to increase recycling rates of plastic plant pots; and which local authorities accept kerbside collection of those pots for recycling.

Following support at consultation, the draft legislation in the Environment Bill (https://services.parliament.uk/Bills/2019-20/environment.html) stipulates that a core set of materials (paper and card, plastic, glass, metal, food waste, garden waste) will be collected from households by all local authorities in England from 2023. All local authorities collecting the same core set of materials from all households will reduce confusion about what can be recycled. Combined with clearer, more consistent labelling, this will encourage householders to recycle more because they will have more confidence in the recycling system.

Secondary legislation, including statutory guidance, will be developed detailing what is included under the plastic waste stream, such as plastic plant pots.

Collection of plant pots is currently subject to local decision making. The Recycle Now website details which local authorities collect plastic plant pots for recycling: https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/plastic-plant-pots.