As anticipated, the UK government is set to introduce a ban on a range of single-use plastics. The recent announcement by the government follows in the footsteps of earlier moves to curb the impact of plastic pollution on the environment, such as the ban on microbeads, restrictions on the use of straws, stirrers and cotton buds and the Plastic Packaging Tax, and brings England into line with similar bans in Scotland and Wales.

The government expects to introduce legislation this year (subject to parliamentary time) to ban the supply of single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups, in England from October 2023.

The ban will not apply to plates, trays, and bowls that are used as packaging in shelf-ready pre-packaged food items, as these fall within the scope of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme. The ban on the supply of plastic bowls and trays that are not packaging will be a ban on supply to the end user. This is to allow businesses to purchase empty plates, bowls, and trays to use only as packaging for food; however, individuals will not be able to purchase these items.

The bans will be enforced principally through civil sanctions and this is consistent with the approach to enforcement taken in The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020.

The Government is also carefully considering further measures around other commonly littered and problematic plastic items, including wet wipes, tobacco filters and sachets.

This announcement is yet a further step towards the government’s commitment to eliminate all avoidable waste by 2050 and all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042, as outlined in the 25 Year Environment Plan, and will contribute to achieving the government’s new environmental target on waste. Waste remains a hot topic and industry and businesses should expect further waste prevention and reduction schemes to emerge in the short and medium term.

Written by Victoria Barnes