More Bans: The War on Plastic Gains a New Ally

By imposing a ban on single-use plastic, England joins the rest of the United Kingdom in its fight against the polluting material, thus reducing litter and cutting plastic waste that ends up in oceans.

“We have made progress to turn the tide on plastic, banning the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds, while our carrier bag charge has cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets,” says Environment Secretary George Eustice. “These plans will help us stamp out the unnecessary use of plastics that wreak havoc with our natural environment.”

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have already decided to impose a ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, and polystyrene cups – as well as the European Union – and England now joins in the war on plastic. Statistically, each person in England uses 18 single-use plastic plates and 37 single-use plastic cutlery every year.