• Banning single use plastic seen as the biggest environmental priority by British public,

• Environment only seen as the sixth most important issue facing the country currently

New research highlights that tackling single use plastics is now seen by consumers in Britain as the number one environmental priority for Government.

The study was conducted amongst 1,800 adults across Britain by YouGov on behalf of SodaStream, a major environmental campaigner on avoidable plastic waste. It revealed that 41% of respondents felt that banning single use plastics was one of the three biggest environmental priorities for government followed by increasing how much was recycled (32%) and reducing amount of waste (32%). Protecting green spaces being developed, reducing pollution and tough action against people who litter and fly tip were also seen as important issues to address.

Around one in six respondents (16%) also felt that reducing single use plastics was a bigger priority than tackling climate change, with 13% having the opposite view. More than half (57%) felt that equal priority should be given to reducing single use plastics and tackling climate change.

The environment featured sixth in the list of the most important issues that the country is currently facing. One in five (20%) respondents felt environment was one of the most pressing issues, but behind Britain leaving the EU (68%), healthcare (30%), immigration (29%), the economy (26%) and crime (23%).

Daniel Birnbaum, the Chief Executive of SodaStream, who was in London last week addressing a major Plastic Sustainability Summit, says: “Simply cleaning up the beaches does not solve the problem of plastic pollution.

“We all need to take an active stance against plastic sewerage, whether we are consumers, employers, retailers, manufacturers, education establishments or central and local government. The message is simple: don’t use avoidable plastic, make smarter use of sustainable alternatives and consciously opt for less plastic.”

He added: “Reducing and eradicating avoidable plastic waste is something we can all do – immediately – it can start straight away and bring about immediate benefits to the planet, the oceans and the seas.”

Ends

Notes to editor

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,821 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th February - 1st March 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

SodaStream is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of Sparkling Water Makers, operating in 45 countries and available in more than 80,000 retail stores in five continents around the globe. The company actively campaigns to reduce avoidable plastic waste. Last year SodaStream’s CEO Daniel Birnbaum made an impassioned plea for consumers to stop using single-use plastic during a clean-up of plastic bottles by SodaStream employees on Roatan Island in Honduras. The company also has a dedicated plastics website www.FightPlastic.com.

For further press information, please contact: Hannah Pollak, Clare Ambrosino or Chris Lawrance on 0117 9073400 or 0203 2670074.