Marine Environment: Pollution

Lord Jones of Cheltenham
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to media reports claiming widespread marine plastics pollution; and whether they plan to categorise plastics as dangerous waste. [HL1865]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker)
In keeping with the European waste classification system, plastic waste is classified as non-hazardous, unless it is contaminated beyond specified threshold limits by dangerous substances. Further information on the classification of hazardous waste is provided in the Environment Agency's technical guidance document WM2, available on its website.

Lord Jones of Cheltenham
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the proposed Marine Bill will include provision for tackling marine pollution. [HL1870]

Lord Rooker
Pollutants enter the marine environment by a number of different pathways, from both land and sea-based sources, and are already subject to extensive controls under a variety of different measures, permits and licensing regimes. These include Part 2 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA), under which all deposits in the sea are controlled and the use of chemicals to disperse oil spills is authorised. The proposed Marine Bill intends to replace Part 2 of the FEPA with new streamlined arrangements for controlling such deposits and oil dispersants. It will also provide modernised inspection and enforcement tools and ensure that, where appropriate, a licensing authority will be able to require polluters to clean up pollution that they have caused.