Start of ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds

The ban on supplying plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds has come into force in England on Thursday 1 October, marking yet another major step in the Government’s fight against single-use plastic waste to protect our environment and clean up our oceans.

Just one month after ministers confirmed the single-use plastic bag charge would be increased to 10p and extended to all retailers, today’s commencement of the ban will further ensure the country builds back greener.

It is estimated we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers, and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England every year, many of which find their way into our ocean.

You can read the full government press release here.