Cllr Kevin Pressland: We need fundamental shift to compostable packaging

June 8, 2025 Kathy Bailes Opinion 18

Composting Image by Herbert from Pixabay

Green Councillor Kevin Pressland is a passionate campaigner for nature and the natural environment.  His understanding of the threats faced by the natural world is based on expertise gained from a 40-year career in horticulture, garden design and sustainable land management:

I am pleased to say that Thanet council sent a letter in support of the Local Government Authorities (LGA) recommendation to government that instead of an incineration tax, due to be law in 2028, a tax on fossil fuel-based plastics is urged. This was unanimously supported by all TDC Full Council members.

This approach could drive a real change to truly alternative, stable, wholly compostable packaging based on plant cellulose, seaweed, mycelium etc. However, to compost effectively most will need to go through a commercial composting facility which could have the advantage of producing energy for local properties, if set up well.

Then the compost produced in this system can be spread on local farm fields, allotments and could even be sold to local residents. This will build soil fertility, soil moisture holding capacity (helping to contribute to stopping volume rainwater/nutrient run off) and will help create vibrant soil ecosystems crucial for good food productivity long term.

Developing the logistics of transitioning to this approach is implicit in achieving the cyclical outcome based on a no waste approach. Nature does not waste but has cyclical systems that use and reuse resources, we need to develop such systems and they could create jobs too.

The consequences of plastics are ratcheting up day by day as the recent work highlighted on Farming Today Farming Today – 27/05/25 National Parks, impact of dry weather, plastic in insects. – BBC Sounds and heaps of reports/research as example, the United Nations Environment Programme highlights https://www.unep.org/plastic-pollution

The global average consumption of short-life plastic per person per year is 20.9 kilograms, but the average plastic consumption per capita in the UK is 31.1 kilograms https://www.cieh.org/ehn/environmental-protection/2023/august/new-report-urges-uk-to-reduce-plastic-consumption/

There is much evidence as to the health implications of plastics https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health/

I urge Wes Streeting, Labour Health Minister, to recognise this reality. As he rightly expressed when Labour came to power, emphasis should be much more on prevention.

I urge other district councils to follow suit in Kent and urge government to act for a healthier future.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves wishes to drive growth. The above could drive a whole industry approach that will be beneficial for all. The UK could be at the forefront of a drive to Full Systems Thinking instead of the current largely linear mind set.

18 Comments

  1. Compostable packaging is the right direction, and Pressland’s call is spot on. But without solid plans for proper composting infrastructure, it’s just greenwashing. We need action, not just statements.

    The UK is small fry compared to global polluters like China and the US. Local action matters, but we need to be clear eyed about our impact and focus on practical, scalable solutions

  2. Another bottom-feeder from the council chamber throwing his ‘pet’ philosophies into the ring INSTEAD OF trying to run Thanet efficiently and economically and to the wishes of the voting public.

  3. Considering the damage that discarded plastics cause to the environment, Kevin Pressland’s concerns are absolutely correct.

      • My name is not Martha . You,The Box”, are one of the more unpleasant persons commenting here. Why don’t you use your own name, even if you just use your surname?

        • Martha, I don’t know why you keep commenting on articles when nobody here has anything pleasant to say about you. Stop crying wolf.

          • Again, my name is not Martha.

            Comments threads are here so that people can make comments. I read a lot of comments which are unpleasant/incorrect/ridiculous. Why should I care if “nobody here has anything pleasant to say” about me when these people usually use pseudonyms anyway? If they say something which is racist, misogynistic or misandrist, then Kathy Bailes will remove it.

        • Okay, Martha. Please stop exhibiting leftie like behaviour, enjoy the site and the articles, and most importantly, stop commenting.

  4. Well that will save the planet from the emissions of the USA, China, Russia, India, Japan etc.

    • My name’s not Martha, “The Box”. Why do you keep calling me “Martha” when it’s not my name?

  5. Hi Kathy,

    I popped into Buddies on Sunday for lunch. Good news . The business is doing ok. They have 9 children and a huge number of family members between them who are supporting lots

    Lots of elderly singles visiting them because of the home cooked real food and the wonderful greeting.

    I said I would tell you. They are looking forward to you popping in. You have to book for Sunday lunch now.

    Under £20 for huge portion of prawn cocktail, roast beef and pork and all the veg etc and horseradish and apple sauce and gravy and then a lovely pear and apple crumble and cream . The crumble had b I s c o f f in it so smelt divine

    I was a walk in but they squeezed me in and made me really welcome.

    Love sharon

    Sent from my iPhone
    D

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