{"id":89421,"date":"2018-02-27T15:23:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-27T15:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=92a10dd36ec66682e33cfcced6cd31b3"},"modified":"2018-02-27T15:23:00","modified_gmt":"2018-02-27T15:23:00","slug":"press-release-foreign-secretary-orders-plastic-to-be-binned-from-britains-diplomatic-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=89421","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Foreign Secretary orders plastic to be binned from Britain\u2019s diplomatic network"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO<\/abbr>) will eliminate avoidable single-use plastics from its UK operations by the end of the year, and from its global operations by 2020. It is the first UK government department to announce such a ban.<\/p>\n

This ambitious target makes the FCO<\/abbr> a leader in the fight against plastic pollution not just in the UK, but globally too.<\/p>\n

In recent weeks, the FCO<\/abbr> has already removed all plastic cups, crockery, cutlery, straws and single-use condiment sachets from its London staff canteen, and is providing re-usable or biodegradable alternatives.<\/p>\n

It plans to increase its \u2018latte levy\u2019 from 10p to 50p to encourage staff to use their own mugs instead of disposable ones \u2013 and places the FCO<\/abbr> firmly at the top of the pack in taking real action to end plastic waste.<\/p>\n

The Foreign Secretary has set a deadline of year-end 2018 for the FCO<\/abbr> to find alternatives to the remaining avoidable single-use plastics in use in its UK estate.<\/p>\n

As well as a ban by year-end in the UK, the Foreign Secretary has given a 2020 target for its overseas estate, with a significant reduction this year.<\/p>\n

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:<\/p>\n

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It is time for the world to truly wake up to the damage being done to the environment, and especially by the sheer volume of plastic that is dumped in our oceans.<\/p>\n

If the UK is to turn the tide overseas on this crucial issue, it is only right that the Foreign Office leads the way at home.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office said:<\/p>\n

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Since 2009 to 2010, the Foreign Office has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 39%, waste by 45%, paper consumption by 42% and water use by 12.9 million litres in our UK operations. But we must do more to reduce our use of plastic. I am confident we can meet the challenge put to us by the Foreign Secretary.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In addition, the FCO<\/abbr> is looking at how it can further reduce its environmental impact beyond plastic. Projects identified for consideration include replacing existing vehicles with electric hybrid vehicles, waste to energy projects, and a global automated energy monitoring and reduction programme.<\/p>\n

The drive comes on the back of the launch of the government\u2019s 25-Year Environment Plan<\/a> last month, which set out measures to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by 2042 across the whole of the UK.<\/p>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

The drive comes on the back of the launch of the government\u2019s 25-Year Environment Plan last month, which set out measures to reduce plastic waste.<\/p>\n

The FCO<\/abbr> already has a strong record in sustainability. Its most recent annual sustainability report<\/a> show that in 2016 to 2017 in its UK operations the FCO<\/abbr>:<\/p>\n