England to ban single-use plastic cutlery

Single-use plastic items such as cutlery, plates and trays are set to be banned in England. The Government has confirmed its intention to reduce the amount of plastic use, in particular single-use plastics that are known to have detrimental effects on the environment.

No date has yet been announced for when this ban will come into effect but it will see England follow moves made by Scotland and Wales, who have already decided to bring into force such plastic bans. This is a further positive step towards protecting the environment and implementing effective sustainability measures that has been welcomed by environmental campaigners, although they have called for wider-ranging reductions of plastic usage across the country.

This move to ban single-use plastics mainly relating to takeaway food and drink builds on bans that were instigated three years ago in 2020 to ban single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has stated that the move will help protect the environment for future generations: “I am determined to drive forward action to tackle this issue head on. We’ve already taken major steps in recent years – but we know there is more to do, and we have again listened to the public’s calls,” she said.

“This new ban will have a huge impact to stop the pollution of billions of pieces of plastics and help to protect the natural environment for future generations.”

Although in support of this move and the positive step forward, Greenpeace UK campaigner Megan Randles insists it is not enough and that more action is needed: “We’re dealing with a plastic flood, and this is like reaching for a mop instead of turning off the tap.”

Megan has called on the Government to deliver a “meaningful” strategy on how to reduce plastic use, which would also include stringent targets and “a proper reuse and refill scheme”.

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