An England plastic ban has been planned by the government, aiming to reduce the pollution from single-use plastic cutlery and plates. In autumn, the public will be consulted on the matter. The ban can happen in the next few years.
Campaigners welcomed the England plastic ban. However, they claimed that the overall progress regarding reducing waste from plastic was moving slower than a snail. In July, the EU had already banned such items, as well as many more.
The England Plastic Ban Is A Start, At Least
Each year, an individual uses 37 spoons, forks, and knives, and 18 plates made of single-use plastic. At the same time, the plastic litter’s durability takes the lives of millions of birds and sea mammals around the globe annually.
April 2022 onwards, a tax for plastic packaging will also be imposed by the government. The tax will cost £200 for every tonne of plastic that does not have a recycled content of 30%. This is aimed to encourage using recycled material more.
In 2020, there was an England plastic ban for drinks stirrers, cotton buds, and plastic straws. In 2018, an older England plastic ban had forbidden washing products from having plastic microbeads. Presently, by the end of 2024, there will be a scheme for depositing and returning plastic bottles. The important environmental policy had been announced in 2018.
George Eustice, the environment secretary, said that such measures are needed to tackle plastic being strewn across green spaces and parks. The latest England plastic ban is another step to fighting plastic pollution.
Read: Australian States In A Race To Rid Single-Use Plastics: A Shining Example For World Politics
The world’s oceans are dominated by plastic litter from takeaway drinks and food. The 4 top items are single-use food wrappers, food containers, plastic bottles, and bags. In 2020, a study found that UK and US residents are bigger plastic waste producers than all other large countries. The whole world has been contaminated by microplastic pollution.
The England government has also formed the Plastics Pact of the UK to investigate possible measures that can be taken by 2025 regarding crisp packets, teabags, PVC cling film, etc.
