MLA calls for manufactures to reduce plastic waste

Newry and Armagh MLA, Cathal Boylan has asked manufacturers to cut down on the use of mixed plastics in food containers.

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Environment, Energy and Climate Change was commenting after it emerged that most of the plastic food containers that homeowners put in the recycling bin cannot be recycled.

Mr Boylan said “I am concerned that only one third of household food containers can be recycled. Items such as yoghurts, microwave meal trays and other containers cannot be recycled as they contain high levels of mixed plastics.

“Manufacturers have a responsibility to make food containers more ‘recycle friendly’ in order to cut down on single use plastics to combat plastic pollution.

“However, this is a human made problem and as plastic users, we also have a responsibility for the planet and to take affirmative action to combat this problem.

"I would encourage everyone to reuse, reduce and recycle where possible and for manufacturers to find alternatives to the use of mixed plastics for packaging.”