Food and drink sector - plastic straws and stirrers banned

The ban on supplying plastic straws and stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds comes into force in England from 1 October 2020.

This is part of the ongoing government programme to remove single-use plastic waste to protect the environment and the oceans.

Ministers have previously announced that the single-use plastic bag charge would be increased to 10p and extended to all retailers.

The government estimates we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers, and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England every year, many of which find their way into the seas.

A ban on their supply helps to protect marine wildlife as part of a 25 Year Environment Plan.

Disabled people and those with medical conditions will still be able to request a plastic straw when visiting a pub or restaurant.

Where purchased before 1 October 2020, food and drink venues can continue to supply or sell leftover supplies of single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers until 1 April 2021.

If bought after 1 October 2020, you must not supply:

• plastic straws or cotton buds to end-users
• drink stirrers to any customers

After 3 July 2021, you must not supply drinks products with single-use plastic straws attached to the packaging.

The government estimates that there is between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean globally every year,.

The government is also committed to launching a £500 million Blue Planet Fund to protect the ocean from plastic pollution, warming sea temperatures and overfishing.

R&D tax relief on reducing plastic may be available and is not limited to manufacturing, Get in touch with one of our R&D team to find out more or contact your usual Bishop Fleming advisor.

For more news and guidance for the food and drink sector, check out our Food and Drink Knowledge Hub.