A ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds has come into force in England today (Thursday).
People in England use an estimated 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds each year.
The measure, originally due to start in April, makes it illegal for businesses to sell or supply the items. An exemption will allow hospitals, bars and restaurants to provide plastic straws to people with disabilities or medical conditions that require them.
Environmental campaigners have welcomed the ban but have called for a crackdown on further single-use items. Environment Secretary George Eustice has said the government is “firmly committed” to tackling environmental “devastation” caused by single-use plastics.
Environment Secretary George Eustice says:
“The ban on straws, stirrers and cotton buds is just the next step in our battle against plastic pollution and our pledge to protect our ocean and the environment for future generations.”
Still nothing on the devastation caused by concreting over every bit of green space with cheap utter garbage Barratt hutches though, eh? But banning straws will compensate for it, I’m sure.
Buying Cotton buds from shops?which are buisness.i need too use those for health problem so hope not
It is cotton buds with plastic stalks that have been banned, those with rolled paper stalks are still available
Cotton Buds the type with cardboard stalks are still available. It’s the plastic type stalks which are banned. Tesco sell what you use.
Something positive in the bleak <3 What with pollution and viruses, my child, despite much reassurance ( which to be fair is difficult with everything so up in their faces ) actually believes the world is ending.
Until they ban the one use plastic altogether, and start removing all the throw away plastic from the land and sea, then we might see a difference.