Single-use items such as cutlery and plates will soon be banned in England
The UK government has announced a ban on the use of single-use plastic items in England. According to a report in the BBC on Monday, January 9, single-use plastic items such as plates and cutlery are the biggest polluters of the oceans. Over 1.1 billion are used every year in the country as per the government figures along with another 4.25 billion cutlery items.
Plastic objects used for takeaway food and drink – including containers, trays, and cutlery – are the biggest polluters of the world’s oceans, studies have shown.
The confirmation about the introduction of the law was also given by Thérèse Coffey, UK´s environment secretary.
In a statement cited by the report, Coffey said, “I am determined to drive forward action to tackle this issue head-on”, adding, “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.
“This new ban will have a huge impact to stop the pollution of billions of pieces of plastic and help to protect the natural environment for future generations.”
The new ruling will cover plastic plates, bowls and trays used for food items consumed in a restaurant or café. But it does not restrict the use of these items by super market or shops as reported.
The ban comes after similar restrictions have already been imposed in Scotland and Wales.
Meanwhile, environmental campaigners have criticized the government for not bringing these measures sooner.
A statement by Greenpeace UK political campaigner Megan Randles said, “Whilst the removal of billions of commonly littered items is never a bad thing – this is a very long overdue move and still a drop in the ocean compared to the action that’s needed to stem the plastic tide”.
Further proposals are now being made to ban the use miniature hotel toiletries as well as other commodities in accordance with the European Green Deal.
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