BPF Tackles Education Secretary over Anti-Plastics Bias in Schools

Philip Law, the BPF’s Director General, has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, asking her to review the guidelines available to head teachers in order to assure the balance in information offered to school children about plastics materials and products.

He was particularly alarmed that examples are coming to light of campaigning organisations seeking access to schools and winning support for proposed ‘No Plastics Days’. Speaking on the issue, he said that ‘in some cases, the proponents of these initiatives might be well intentioned and open to education themselves. Others might be simply misinformed. As a several point, head teachers should ensure that any information given to school children is whiter than white. In his view, ‘No Plastics Days’ could backfire as the realisation sinks in that society is wholly dependent on the benefits of plastics.

Plastics materials are absolutely vital to the UK economy in packaging, technical components, construction and healthcare and all for very good reasons. As an example, if it weren’t for the use of plastics, the manufacture of blood bags and dialysis equipment would not be possible.

‘No plastics day’ initiatives are often based on the issue of littering within oceans and rivers, This is a social issue. Individuals create litter through thoughtless or anti-social behaviour and only individuals can prevent it. The BPF encourages the safe disposal of plastics. The Plastics 2020 partners, BPF, PAFA and Plastics Europe, gave financial backing which enabled the Marine Conservation society to deliver 157 Cool Seas Roadshows briefing children on the wonders of the ocean and the irresponsibility of littering used objects. In return for pupils recycling plastic bottles, schools were awarded with a sports kit made from recycled bottles.

Independent endorsement for plastics emerged from work commissioned by the BPF’s Rigid Plastics Packaging Group and carried out by YouGov earlier this year aiming to understand UK consumer trends in packaging. Of the 2157 adults surveyed, 43% said they felt that using a plastic material in the nursery would be safer and more practical than any other material.

“Enabling schools to stage balanced fora where both opinions can be put forward and children have the freedom to form their own individual point of view is something which should be vehemently encouraged,” said Philip Law. 

For all media enquiries, BPF logos and images please contact Laura Hindley, Communications and Industrial Issues Executive on [email protected] or 0207 457 5043
Notes for editors:

The British Plastics federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.