Angling Trust backs campaign to phase out plastic cups at riverside pubs.

The Angling Trust is backing a campaign to reduce plastic pollution in our rivers and seas by calling for the phasing out of single-use plastic cups by riverside pubs along the Thames.

At the recent launch of the ‘In the Drink’ report in the House Commons, sponsored by the Port of London Authority and the environmental charity Thames 21, it was revealed that a survey of 250 pubs and bars along the River Thames, from Thames Ditton to Gravesend showed that 69% of venues are still using single-use plastic cups, many of which end up littering the river and contributing to long-term plastic pollution.

Each year, the Port of London Authority removes hundreds of tonnes of litter from the Thames, much of it plastic. Since 2018, more than 13,500 single-use plastic cups have been collected from the river’s foreshore by Thames21 alone. These lightweight cups – especially common during outdoor events – often escape bins, break down into microplastics, and pose a serious threat to wildlife and water quality.

Speaking at the launch, Angling Trust Policy Chief Martin Salter said:

“The Angling Trust is delighted to be a supporter of the ‘In the Drink’ campaign aimed at tackling part of the scourge of plastic pollution in our waterways. Those of us who spend our leisure time in, on or beside the water – whether paddleboarders, canoeists or anglers – see what is happening in real time. We are the canaries in the coal mine.

“Microplastics are now to be found in almost every British river and are especially prevalent in the Thames, where an estimated 94,000 microplastic particles per second move from river into the ocean. They cause huge damage to fish populations, including gut blockage and internal injury, stunted growth, lower reproductive success and impaired immune systems.”

The campaign is calling for a transition to reusable alternatives such as polycarbonate glasses. In addition, the report recommends:

• A two-year phase-out of single-use plastic cups in licensed venues.

• A national ban on free branded single-use plastic cups often given away at events.

• Updated licensing policies to prevent customers from leaving with drinks in disposable cups after closing.

• National guidance to support the transition to reusables and eliminate misleading claims about ‘biodegradable’ plastics.

A 2022 Yonder poll found that 89% of consumers support a ban on single-use plastic cups, and 75% say they negatively affect the taste of beer.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded here.