Campaigners have expressed concerns that the ban excludes some of the most polluting items.

England has implemented a ban on certain single-use plastic items, prohibiting businesses from supplying items such as plastic cutlery and polystyrene cups. Environment Minister Rebecca Pow stated that this new ban is a noteworthy step toward tackling harmful waste and protecting the environment from plastic pollution.

The ban, which came into effect on October 1st, applies to businesses such as restaurants, shops, and takeaways. It covers a range of single-use plastic items, including cutlery, polystyrene cups and food containers, and balloon sticks. The ban includes all types of single-use plastic, including compostable, biodegradable and recycled varieties. Businesses may face fines and criminal charges if they fail to comply with the new regulations, even for items they had in stock before the ban.

While there are also restrictions on single-use plastic plates, bowls, and trays, takeaways are still permitted to use containers, trays, and wraps if they are pre-filled or filled at the point of sale. Shelf-ready pre-packaged food items are also exempt from the rules.Retailers are allowed to offer polystyrene coffee cup lids, provided that the cups themselves are not composed of this material.

This ban builds upon previous restrictions on single-use stirrers, plastic straws and cotton buds introduced in 2022. The government has expressed its intention to ban all plastic packaging in the future, although a specific date has not been set.

England uses an estimated 2.7 billion pieces of single-use cutlery, primarily made of plastic, and 721 million single-use plates each year. Nevertheless, merely 10% of these items undergo recycling, leaving the remainder to decompose over centuries in landfills.

Compared to the European Union, England’s single-use plastic ban comes two years after similar rules were mandated across the EU and four years after they were agreed upon by all European institutions. Certain European Union member states, like France, have gone a step further by implementing more stringent measures. These include prohibiting single-use plastic packaging for specific vegetables, fruits and banning disposable packaging for dine-in restaurants.

Scotland has taken more immediate action than England, and Wales has introduced a ban that encompasses additional items, including single-use plastic bags. Activists stress that although single-use cutlery is a matter of concern, other plastics, particularly small bottles, pose a more significant litter problem in England. Estimates from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy indicate that these small bottles account for nearly a quarter of all litter.

In summary, England’s recent ban on certain single-use plastics is a significant step toward protecting the environment and reducing plastic waste . While it covers various items, some concerns exist about items excluded from the ban. This measure follows earlier restrictions on plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds and aligns with the goal of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by 2042. However, England’s implementation lags behind the EU, with some EU states having stricter rules. Scotland has taken quicker action, and Wales plans a broader ban. Notably, small bottles contribute significantly to litter in England, highlighting the need for comprehensive plastic waste solutions.