Single-use plastics cause real devastation to the environment and this government is firmly committed to tackling this issue head on

As of Thursday 1^st October, the ban on businesses to supply plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds to customers came into force. This is another positive measure introduced by the Government in order to address the problem with plastic waste.

 

It is estimated that we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic stemmed cotton buds in England every year with many of these items finding their way into our oceans, which has seen a massive effect on our marine wildlife. I therefore welcome the ban and the Government’s further commitment to launching a £500 million Blue Planet Fund, which will go towards protecting the ocean from plastic pollution.

 

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We are already a world-leader in this global effort. Our 5p charge on single-use plastic bags has successfully cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets, we have banned microbeads, and we are building plans for a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single-use drinks containers. 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.”

 

There are exemptions in place to protect disabled people and those with medical conditions who require plastic straws. Cotton buds will also continue to be used for forensic and scientific purposes. Businesses have been given time to adapt to these changes and can continue to use existing stock acquired before 1^st October 2020 for six months.

This strategy will also work alongside other Government actions in eliminating all avoidable plastic waste including a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single use drinks containers, committing to a ban on the export of polluting plastic waste to non-OECD countries and the increase charge for single use plastic bags from April 2020, which is being extended to all retailers.

The Government have taken this a step further, and as from April 2022 plan to introduce a world leading tax on plastic packaging which doesn’t meet the minimum requirement of at least 30% recycled materials.

 

I am confident that all of these measures will help us win the war against plastic pollution and allow us to leave our environment in a better state for future generations.

 

As your MP I will continue my support for long-term environmental policies.