In a significant move towards environmental conservation, England has announced a ban on the sale of certain single-use plastic items.
No business, be it a retailer, takeaway, food vendor, or a member of the hospitality sector, is now permitted to sell single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, or polystyrene cups and food containers.
Further guidance on the ban
The announcement of these new regulations was made in January.
Since then, the Government say that considerable effort has been invested throughout 2023 to provide businesses with comprehensive guidance on the ban.
Lack of awareness among retailers
However, according to the BBC, in September, a warning was issued by the British Independent Retail Association.
Representing over 6,000 independent businesses, the association pointed out that many firms were either unaware of, or not ready for, the implementation of these new rules.
Exceptions to the rule
There are certain exemptions to these new guidelines. Takeaways, for instance, are still allowed to use plastic containers, trays, and wrap. Similarly, retailers can continue in their use of plastic plates, bowls, and trays for items like pre-filled salad bowls and ready meals.
The government has categorised these items as “packaging”, noting that they will be addressed under a different set of regulations.
The objective of these rules is to shift the cost burden of handling packaging waste from local councils to the actual producers of the packaging.
The impact of plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is not only persistent, taking centuries to decompose, but it also wreaks havoc on our oceans, rivers, and lands.
Additionally, the entire life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal, is responsible for releasing greenhouse gas emissions.
The stats
Every year, people in England use approximately 2.7 billion items of predominantly plastic single-use cutlery and 721 million single-use plates.
Shockingly, a mere 10 per cent of these items are recycled.
To visualise the magnitude, if the 2.7 billion pieces of cutlery were placed end-to-end, they would encircle the globe over eight-and-a-half times.
Official statement from the Environment Minister
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow weighed in on the matter, stating,
“This new ban is the next big step in our mission to crack down on harmful plastic waste. It will protect the environment and help to cut litter – stopping plastic pollution dirtying our streets and threatening our wildlife.”
More information on the guidance can be found on the Government Website.
