The move comes as part of plans to protect
rivers, oceans, and meet the UK government’s 25 Year Environment Plan to
eliminate “avoidable” plastic waste. 22
October, the government said it intends to introduce a ban, which would come
into force at some point between October 2019 and October 2020, subject to a
new consultation. In England, it is
estimated that 4.7 billion plastic straws and 316 million plastic stirrers are
used every year. It is thought to take hundreds of years to break down the
single-use plastic items and cleaning up their effects costs the government
millions of pounds each year.
The
six-week consultation, which will close on 3 December 2018, will seek views on
how to ensure those who need straws for medical and accessibility reasons can
still use them. For example, restaurants, pubs and bars will be able to stock a
number of straws for use on request. The
UK government has pledged $80,000,000.00) in funding to boost global research
and help countries across the Commonwealth stop plastic waste from entering the
oceans.
Kate
Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, said: “We wholeheartedly welcome this consultation
on an issue of vital importance and one which hospitality has already taken
significant action. “Since UK
Hospitality’s Unpack the Future of Hospitality summit in the spring, thousands
of pubs clubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK have changed their straws
and stirrers to biodegradables or adopted policies that cut or eliminate their
use in their venues.
“The government is seeking views on how we
can cut plastic waste and we look forward to continued engagement to play a
part in achieving that goal.” Environment
secretary Michael Gove said: “In England we are taking world-leading
action with our ban on microbeads, and thanks to the public’s support have
taken over 15 billion plastic bags out of circulation with our 5 pence
charge. “I commend retailers, bars and
restaurants that have already committed to removing plastic straws and
stirrers. But we recognize we need to do more.
One
by on the responsible countries of the world are stepping up in order to curb
the pollution of our waters by the use of single use plastic. I hope this will also spread to the use of
plastic bags in stores as well as other single use plastic items.
Read More at https://www.foodbev.com/news/uk-government-reveals-plan-to-ban-plastic-straws-in-england/
Read More at https://www.foodbev.com/news/uk-government-reveals-plan-to-ban-plastic-straws-in-england/
