Single-use plastic ban comes into force - what you can and can't do from today
A ban of certain single-use plastic items comes into force today, meaning there will be strict rules on what businesses can and can't offer or sell to customers.
The new rules will come into force in a bid to tackle pollution and litter caused by single-use plastics, which takes hundreds of years to break down, and inflects serious damage to the oceans, rivers and land. This comes as businesses were no longer allowed to supply single-use plastic straws, stirrers or cotton buds to members of the public in 2022 (barring some exceptions) - but today (October 1) the ban will affect even more products.
The single-use plastic ban will be enforced by local authorities in England, meaning businesses could face fines and criminal charges if they don't follow the new rules. It means, from today, businesses can't supply any of the items, even if they have leftover stock which they purchased before the ban was put in place.
What you can and can't do from today
As of October 1, businesses, including retailers, restaurants, takeaway restaurants, food vendors or any establishment that is part of the hospitality industry, will no logner be able to supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items. That means, if you are visiting one of these establishments, you won't be able to get:
- Single-use plastic cutlery
- Balloon sticks
- Polystyrene cups
- Food containers
This ban applies to online and over-the-counter sales and supply in all businesses, including single-use plastic, biodegradable, compostable and recycled plastic and items wholly or partly made from plastic. It means that you won't be able to buy these items in shops in England.
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However, you'll still be able to buy food and drink in polystyrene containers that need further preparation before it's consumed - for example by adding water, or if it needs microwaving or toasting.
As well as this, you can also still be given a polystyrene lid for your takeaway coffee cup - as long as the drink container itself is not made of it. Polystyrene can take hundreds of years to break down, and it's estimated that England uses a staggering 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery each year, as well as 721 million single-use plates but unfortunately, just 10% are recycled.
The use of single-use plastic plates, trays and bowls has also been restricted - but there are some exceptions. Businesses shouldn't supply single-use plastic plates, trays or bowls to the public, but they can if they are supplying them to another business, or if they are used as packaging.
That means you can still buy pre-filled salad bowls or ready meals packaged in a tray, a plate filled at the counter of a takeaway, or a tray used to deliver food.
According to government guidance, local authorities will conduct inspections to ensure the rules are being followed. If businesses are found to have broken the law, they could be made to cover the cost of the investigation. Business owners will then be given 28 days to appeal the fine.
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