Consultation launched on single-use plastics
Yesterday (20 November) The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a 12-week consultation on single – use plastics. Defra’s plans could see problematic single-use plastics banned in the UK and will ensure England and Northern Ireland no longer have different rules on single-use plastics.
We have already seen single-use items like plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds banned in the UK, with this consultation intended to extend the ban to include further products where alternative materials could be used, these include:
- Cutlery
- Plates
- Polystyrene cups
- Balloon sticks
- Plastic Sachets
The Government, as a result of the consultation, intend to move to more sustainable alternatives and believe it can be achieved without unfairly impacting customers.
The announcement of this consultation comes a week after the passage of the Environment Act, which will support in the enforcement of action against single-use plastics, with the power to place charges on single-use items. With the intention to examine how the responsibility can be placed firmly on manufacturers, ensuring they are doing everything they can to tackle single-use plastics.
Should you have any queries on this consultation, please get in touch with our policy and sustainable packaging team at consultation@complydirect.com