Sandwell Council is reminding businesses in Sandwell that since 1 October they are no longer allowed to supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items.
The ban covers a wide range of single-use items including plastic cutlery, plates, bowls, balloon sticks and certain styles of polystyrene cup and food containers that are used to supply ready-to-eat food.
Sandwell Council Trading Standards is advising businesses, such as sandwich shops, takeaways and other retailers, to think about sourcing alternatives if they haven’t already done so, as they risk being fined if they use the banned items.
This initiative aims to drastically reduce the country's plastic footprint, which has been a longstanding concern for environmentalists and policymakers alike.
It is estimated that England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery each year, and 721 million single-use plates. Only 10 per cent of these items are recycled.
Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.
Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, Councillor Syeda Khatun, said:
‘‘This measure aligns with England's commitment to achieve a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. By prohibiting the sale and distribution of single-use plastics, the
the adoption of reusable and biodegradable alternatives is being encouraged. Retailers and businesses are expected to play a pivotal role in this transition by offering sustainable options to their customers.’’
Guidance for businesses on these regulations which can be accessed at Business Companion.
Further information:
The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020 prohibit the supply, or offering to supply, of any single-use plastic straw, plastic stemmed cotton bud or plastic drink stirrer in England.
The Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc and Polystyrene Containers etc) (England) Regulations 2023 prohibit the supply, or offering to supply, of any single-use plastic plates, bowls, trays, cutlery and balloon sticks, or polystyrene cups, food and drink containers in England.
There are a number of exceptions to the prohibitions.
For straws and cotton buds, these exceptions allow for situations where the items may be required due to disability or accessibility issues.
Plastic plates, bowls and trays are permitted when supplied to other businesses or where the item is packaging.
Polystyrene cups, food and drink containers are permitted where the food is not ready to be consumed and requires further preparation, such as adding water or heating.
The following supplies of single-use plastic straws are permitted:
• from a registered pharmacy, but products must not be displayed or advertised in store.
• from a catering establishment (pubs, clubs, restaurants, canteens, etc) where supplied for immediate consumption of food or drink. They must only be supplied if requested and not made available for customers to help themselves. They cannot be offered either verbally or in writing.
• for use as a medical device or for a medical purpose. This includes preventative medicine, medical diagnosis, research, and care and treatment.
• for use as packaging for a product - for example, certain medicines. This does not exempt drinking straws supplied with drinks cartons.
• for use in care homes, prisons, schools and early years provision, but alternatives should be sought where possible.
The following supplies of plastic cotton buds are permitted:
• for use as a medical device or for a medical purpose. This includes preventative medicine, medical diagnosis, research, and care and treatment.
• for forensic purposes: use by forensic service providers.
• for scientific purposes: diagnostic, education and research.