As Environment Minister in DEFRA, I was honoured to bring the legislation through parliament that will enable us to ban the use of a wide range of avoidable single use plastics including plastic plates and cutlery.

Our goal of ending plastic pollution moved a step closer on 4 July 2023 as MPs approved the new Single Use Plastic bans, to take effect from 1 October 2023.

The ban on these items will include:

• online and over-the-counter sales and supply
• items from new and existing stock
• all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled
• items wholly or partly made from plastic, including coating or lining

‘Single use’ means the item is meant to be used only once for its original purpose.

For more information please see here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-plastics-ban-plates-bowls-trays-…