A ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, and polystyrene trays is set to take effect in England on Sunday. However, this new regulation excludes plastic plates, trays, and bowls used for

pre-packaging food in shops and takeaways.

Environmental activists argue that the ban falls short in addressing plastic waste, while some businesses have expressed unawareness of the impending rules.

The government asserts that this move represents the "next big step" in its endeavor to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.

Wales is also considering a plastics ban, which may not be fully enforced until 2026.

Plastic pollution is a persistent environmental concern due to its slow decomposition, adverse impact on waterways, and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Under this ban, retailers, takeaways, food vendors, and hospitality establishments will no longer be allowed to sell single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups, or food containers. This follows a similar ban in 2022 on single-use plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds.

However, an exemption to the new rules permits takeaways to continue using plastic containers, trays, and wrap. Retailers can also maintain the use of plastic plates, bowls, and trays for pre-packaged food items such as pre-filled salad bowls and ready meals. The government classifies these items as "packaging" and will address them separately to shift the responsibility for dealing with packaging waste from local authorities to packaging producers.

Anna Diski, a plastics campaigner for Greenpeace UK, contends that legislating token bans on a few single-use plastic items every few years is wholly inadequate for the magnitude of the problem. She advocates for a comprehensive strategy to address the issue at its source and reduce overall plastic production.

According to research by the takeaway delivery platform Just Eat, 70% of the public believes that the government should take more action to reduce plastic use, with 73% supporting a ban on plastic takeaway boxes. Just Eat's global director of sustainability, Robin Clark, emphasizes that the UK takeaway industry employs approximately 500 million single-use plastic boxes annually. The company urges the government to make sustainable packaging alternatives more accessible and cost-effective for businesses and consumers.

In September, the British Independent Retail Association, representing over 6,000 independent businesses, cautioned that some firms were unaware of or unprepared for the impending regulations. Businesses continuing to supply banned single-use plastics after October 1 could face fines, with local authorities conducting inspections.

However, some within the industry remain unaware of the upcoming changes. Herdy Ibrahim, a takeaway owner in Leeds, stated that he had not heard about the ban. Jalal Ali, owner of Fast Fried Chicken in the same area, recently stocked up on polystyrene boxes, indicating that such items were still readily available.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow highlights that the government collaborated closely with the industry over the past nine months to facilitate the transition to eco-friendly packaging. She maintains that this ban will safeguard the environment, curbing litter and preventing plastic pollution from impacting streets and wildlife. The move builds upon earlier regulations on straws, stirrers, and cotton buds, as well as the single-use carrier bag charge and the plastic packaging tax. Photo by 808 Mālama pono, Wikimedia commons.