The UK government has announced plans to ban a range of polluting single-use plastics in England, including plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers.
The ban, which will come into effect in October 2023, is expected to have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering in the country. According to estimates, England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery and 721 million single-use plates per year, but only 10% is recycled!
The ban is aimed at reducing plastic pollution which as we know, can take hundreds of years to break down and causes untold damage to oceans, rivers, wildlife and land. Plastic pollution is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from production through to its disposal.
"We all know the absolutely devastating impacts that plastic can have on our environment and wildlife. We have listened to the public and these new single-use plastics bans will continue our vital work to protect the environment for future generations" - Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey.
The single-use ban will apply to all businesses, including retailers, takeaways, food vendors, and the hospitality industry. Over 95% of those who responded to the government's consultation were in favour of the ban. It follows on from a previous ban in 2020 on single-use items such as straws, stirrers, and cotton buds which has already had a positive impact on reducing plastic pollution. Plastic carrier bags also saw a sharp drop in use - over 97% in the main supermarkets.
Plastic is a scourge which blights our streets and beautiful countryside and I am determined that we shift away from a single-use culture. By introducing a ban later this year we are doubling down on our commitment to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. We will also be pressing ahead with our ambitious plans for a deposit return scheme for drinks containers and consistent recycling collections in England. - Environment Minister Rebecca Pow
The government is also considering further measures around other commonly littered and problematic plastic items such as wet wipes, tobacco filters, and sachets. These measures may include banning plastic in these items and mandatory labelling on packaging to help consumers dispose of them correctly. The government is also conducting research on the impact of wet wipes on sewage blockages to inform future policy actions.
However, it's not all plain sailing. The ban will not apply to plates, trays, and bowls that are used as packaging in pre-packaged foods as these are intended to be included in the government's future plans for an Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme, which will incentivise producers to use packaging that can be recycled and meet higher recycling targets.
The decision to ban single-use plastics in England is in line with growing global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Single-use plastics have been identified as a major contributor to the problem of plastic pollution, and countries around the world are taking steps to reduce their use and promote the use of reusable alternatives.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the ban on single-use plastics in England could also have economic benefits. The production and disposal of single-use plastics require the use of resources such as fossil fuels, which are not only finite but also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing the use of single-use plastics, businesses and consumers can save money by reducing the costs associated with the production and disposal of these items.
Overall, the ban on single-use plastics in England can only be seen as a positive step towards reducing pollution and protecting the environment. It will hopefully have a significant impact on reducing the amount of plastic waste and litter that ends up in our oceans, too.
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