UK Prime Minister highlights Christian charity’s fight against plastic pollution

Pakistan is one of the most plastic polluted countries in the world, and Christian charity Tearfund is working there to help change the situation.

Pakistan produces more than 20 million tonnes of waste each year (according to the country's Environment Ministry). In cities like Karachi, 40 per cent remains uncollected, the NGO said.

Plastics are often burned on the streets, and thick fumes can cause health problems.

Rubina, a mother of two, tells the story of how her son had to be brought to hospital after being burnt by a chemical substance in the rubbish:

Tearfund builds recycling centres where waste is segregated and sorted, and aims to see rubbish-free streets.

THERESA MAY ANNOUNCES PUBLIC FUNDING

In a Parliamentary session, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May praised the project of the Christian organisation and announced that the government would match all donations to the NGO until 17 May 2019.

“Through UK Aid Match, the UK government will match donations of up to £2m raised by Tearfund supporters for a project in Pakistan”, she said. “We are committed to the UK being a world leader in tackling plastic pollution”.

Great to hear the Prime Minister @theresa_may commend MPs across the @HouseofCommons for taking part in our #PlasticPledge, and supporting our work tackling waste and plastic pollution in Pakistan with @DFID_UK. #UKAidMatch pic.twitter.com/DLOmuGOdHa

— Tearfund (@Tearfund) 6 de març de 2019

A PLASTIC PLEDGE

Earlier, Member of Parliament Vicky Ford had supported Tearfund’s campaign to give up “single use bottles, straws, forks & more for 40 days at least”. At least other 47 MPs also accepted this environmental challenge.

I’ve signed up to the #PlasticPledge @Tearfund because plastic waste has a devastating impact on people living in poverty



I’m giving up single use plastic bottles straws forks cups & more for 40 days… at least



Find out more: https://t.co/l9a6X6uzZ1 #UKAidMatch #PlasticPledge

— Vicky Ford MP (@vickyford) 6 de març de 2019

GROWING AWARENESS

The reduction of the use of plastic has been one of the major topics in the UK in the last years. Many British churches have developed plans to go green.

On an European level, in October 2018 the EU voted to to ban replaceable plastic products such as plates, straws and cotton buds by 2021.