DfE did nothing to help schools ditch plastics, say campaigners

Damian Hinds challenged schools to ditch disposable plastics by 2022 but goal is still long way off

The UK government has failed to back up its call for schools to ditch plastic, say campaigners, despite setting a 2022 target.

Three years ago Damian Hinds, then the education secretary, challenged headteachers in England to ditch disposables such as straws, bottles, bags and food packaging by this year. But campaigners say that without tangible targets, funded resources and a realistic strategy, this goal is still a long way off.