THE BBC has announced plans to remove single-use plastics from its operations by 2020. The move follows the outcry over Blue Planet II’s highlighting of the impact plastic is having in the sea and the environment.
The corporation said plastic cups and cutlery will be scrapped by the end of this year. Currently, around two million plastic cups are used within BBC locations every year.
The BBC will also remove plastic containers from canteens by 2019. A pilot scheme will start imminently in Salford alongside a trial of a coffee cup recycling initiative.
Additionally, any new contracts that come up for tender will include the requirement to cut single-use plastic.
Tony Hall, BBC director-general said, “Like millions of people watching Blue Planet II, I was shocked to see the avoidable waste and harm created by single-use plastic. We all need to do our bit to tackle this problem, and I want the BBC to lead the way. Scrapping throwaway plastic cups and cutlery is the first step, and with our plan I hope we can have a BBC free of single-use plastic altogether.”
