£6 million fund for London’s fight against plastics

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced an additional £6 million investment to help protect the environment and improve green space in the capital.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of single-use plastic bottles and cups bought daily, the funding will enable the roll-out of more new public water fountains and the creation of better local green spaces, including in areas with little access to parks and community spaces. Khan is working with Thames Water and City to Sea to introduce a refill scheme that enables Londoners to reuse their bottles and cups to top up free tap water from local shops and businesses.

It is thought that City Hall is also considering the potential for a plastic bottle deposit return scheme that gives Londoners money back for recycling bottles, with similar schemes in other countries witnessing a 90 per cent increase in plastic bottle recycling.

Khan said: “I’m committed to helping Londoners reduce plastic bottle use and help cut the amount of plastic ending up in our oceans and in landfill. This increased funding is matched by ambitious plans which aim to help the public easily cut their use of plastic by offering water refills, delivering more public drinking fountains and simple recycling schemes that will help cut the purchase of single-use plastic bottles. This extra funding will also help us race towards my goal of London becoming the first National Park City, by funding more tree planting and green spaces, especially in areas so that everyone in London can benefit from an easily accessible park, play space, or community garden.”