I pressed the Government over the large volume of plastic waste exported from the UK. See below for the response I received from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Click the link to read the response in full. 

Hackney Council is also leading efforts at a local level to reduce plastic waste. On the 1 September it is launching the #ZeroWasteHackney challenge that challenges us to reduce our non-recyclable waste throughout the month and report our progress each week. Already Hackney recycles nearly 28 per cent of its waste but we need to keep improving. Everyone that registers and participates will be entered into a draw for a £50 voucher to spend at a local Zero Waste shop. Find out further details and register here. Note the deadline for registering is the 31 August 2021