England tightens restrictions on the use of single-use plastic products. The country now restricts the sale of plastic cutlery, plates, bowls, trays, sticks for balloons, as well as some types of polystyrene cups and food containers. The new ban will come into force in October this year.
Once these restrictions go into effect, people will no longer be able to buy or receive these single-use plastic items from businesses, including retailers, restaurants, food vendors, and others.
However, the ban will not affect plastic plates, trays or bowls that come with pre-packaged food, as they are already included in the extended producer responsibility scheme. This UK initiative encourages companies to use recyclable packaging and “achieve higher recycling targets”.
It should be noted that England is gradually intensifying the fight against the use of plastic. In 2018, a ban was introduced on microbeads, tiny pieces of plastic added to personal care products that can enter waterways and harm marine flora and fauna. In 2020, the country restricted the availability of single-use plastic straws, chopsticks and cotton buds. Last year, England introduced a tax on imported plastic packaging that does not include at least 30% recycled material. The country also charges for the use of plastic bags.
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England’s single-use plastic ban follows last year’s decision by Scotland and Wales to restrict the sale of plastic cutlery and plates. The European Union introduced similar restrictions in 2021.
Source: The Verge
