- From today it is illegal for businesses to supply plastic
straws, stirrers and cotton buds to customers.
- Every year in England we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316
million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton
buds.
- Exemptions in place to protect disabled people and those with
medical conditions who require plastic straws.
The ban on supplying plastic straws and
stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds has come into force
today (Thursday 1 October), marking yet another major step in the
Government’s fight against single-use plastic waste to protect
our environment and clean up our oceans.
Just one month after ministers confirmed the
single-use plastic bag charge would be increasedto 10p and
extended to all retailers, today’s commencement of
the ban will further ensure the country builds back
greener.
It is estimated we use 4.7
billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic
stirrers, and
1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England every year,
many of which find their way into our ocean. By banning the
supply of these items, we can further protect our marine wildlife
and move one step closer to our ambition of eliminating all
avoidable plastic waste, as set out in our 25 Year Environment Plan.
Environment Secretary said:
“Single-use plastics cause real devastation to the environment
and this government is firmly committed to tackling this issue
head on.
“The ban on straws, stirrers and cotton buds is just the next
step in our battle against plastic pollution and our pledge to
protect our ocean and the environment for future
generations.”
While making this important step to help the environment,
disabled people and those with medical conditions will also be
protected, and will be able to request a plastic straw when
visiting a pub or restaurant and purchase them from
pharmacies.
It is estimated that between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of
plastic enter the ocean globally every year, which has produced
many scenes of marine wildlife being injured or killed by plastic
waste. The UK is leading on a wide programme of overseas
engagements, including through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and
the Commonwealth Litter Programme, aiming to prevent plastic
waste from reaching the ocean in the first place.
The government is also committed to launching a £500 million Blue
Planet Fund to protect the ocean from plastic pollution, warming
sea temperatures and overfishing.
Dr Laura Foster, Head of Clean Seas at the Marine Conservation
Society, said:
“It’s fantastic news that the ban on plastic cotton bud sticks,
stirrers and straws is now in place. The results of our annual
Great British Beach Clean have shown a decrease in cotton bud
sticks littering British beaches.
“In 2017 we found an average of 31 cotton bud sticks per 100
metres of beach, and in 2019 we found just eight on beaches in
England. This reflects that many companies have already made the
switch away from plastic, in cotton buds and other items,
something we need to see more companies doing.
“Only with ambitious policy and forward-thinking brands and
companies, can we truly stop the plastic tide.”
The government will also introduce a new
world-leading tax on plastic packaging which does
not meet a minimum threshold of at least 30% recycled content
from April 2022 to encourage greater use of recycled
plastic.
