A REDDITCH group dedicated to cutting plastic waste are taking their campaign to the Houses of Parliament.
Eco n Wise are calling for the use of black plastic in food packaging to be stopped as optical sorting systems at many recycling plants fail to detect black plastic.
As a result, it frequently ends up in landfill when it could be re-used.
“We’ve set up a petition asking manufacturers to use a different colour plastic, one that can be recognised by sorting systems,” said group spokesperson Claire Davies.
And the group have singled out higher welfare meat products as one example where black plastic is needlessly used.
“The trays are predominantly black in these cases, and the theory is that it shows the quality off better,” said Claire.
“Cheaper meats tend to be in lighter-coloured packaging.”
The group hopes that if they can get the issue raised in Parliament it could lead to the elimination of black coloured plastic.
First though they need to get 10,000 signatures to get the Government to respond to the petition and 100,000 for it to be considered for debate in Parliament.
With just 192 signatures so far, the Eco n Wise recognises there is still an awful long way to go.
“This is an issue which is more than just Redditch, and we are hoping, as well put it out there, that more people will respond,” said Claire.
To sign the petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/216173