"Even if the actual figure is lower, there is no question that battery-powered and electrical toys, lights and gifts are proliferating as never before. Despite a great deal of commentary aimed at dialling down consumption over the festive season, especially surplus packaging and rubbish, strings of disposable lights and flashing figures have gained in popularity. Homes, front gardens and shopping streets grow sparklier by the year."
"Batteries and electrical devices present particular difficulties when it comes to disposal, because they cause fires. But they are just one part of a more general problem of excessive waste and weak regulatory oversight. British plastic waste exports rose by 5% in 2024 to nearly 600,000 tonnes. A new report on plastics from the Pew Charitable Trusts warns that global production is expected to rise by 52% by 2040 to 680m tonnes outstripping the capacity of waste management systems around the world."
An estimated 168 million light-up ornaments and similar items could be discarded annually in the UK, reflecting rapid growth in battery-powered toys, lights and gifts. Disposable festive lighting and flashing figures are increasingly popular, adding to household and street displays. Batteries and electrical devices complicate disposal because they can cause fires, and contribute to wider excessive waste and weak regulatory oversight. British plastic waste exports rose 5% in 2024 to nearly 600,000 tonnes. Global plastic production is projected to rise 52% by 2040 to 680 million tonnes, outpacing waste management capacity. Regulators face criticism over sewage, pollution and illegal dumping; urgent government action has been called for.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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