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Feb 22nd, 2022 by Admin

Single-Use Plastics Will Be Banned Under New Plans!

Plastic plates, cutlery, cups, and food containers could be banned in England!

Single-use plastics are a real problem, and their impact on the environment can’t be ignored any longer. That’s why the UK government is planning to ban them in the country, starting with items like plates, disposable cutlery, extruded polystyrene cups, and food and beverage containers.

The government will also look into making labelling on packaging mandatory to help consumers dispose of these items correctly, while they’re also exploring banning these types of products entirely. They’ll also consider ways to hold manufacturers accountable for waste as litter.

What’s the difference between single-use and reusable? Single-use plastics are disposable items you use only once and then throw away. Reusable items are those you can use over and over again. So when you use these single-use plastics, it causes direct harm to the environment with no chances of even recycling. This is why the UK government has been taking steps to curb this issue.

Another Milestone in the UK Plastic Ban

Another Milestone in the UK Plastic Ban

The Government has already taken huge strides towards eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by implementing 5p charges on single-use plastic bags, making plastic microbeads illegal in cosmetics, and removing 10 billion plastic straws every year. Now, they’re considering banning single-use plastics.

Due to the mandatory 5p charge for plastic bags in supermarkets, procurement has been a considerable drop. The annual number of single-use plastic carrier bags sold by Tesco dropped from 2017 to 2021 has dropped from 637 million to just 12 million. Similarly, many other supermarkets and retail outlets have a noticeable decrease in the issuance of single-use plastic bags.

Environment Secretary George Eustice announced a few weeks back that the UK’s Government is considering measures to eliminate every single bit of avoidable plastic waste. He said, “There is growing recognition of the damage that plastics cause to our environment and marine life in particular. We want to reduce plastics in packaging and ban its use in items linked to littering.”

The government recognises that the first step is taking responsibility for what they put into production — which is why they’re starting by looking at single-use plastics since it’s a far more manageable task. The government is looking at banning everything from plastic cutlery and plates to expanded and extruded polystyrene cups and food and beverage containers that we use once and then throw out.

Labelling the Plastic Warning

Labelling the Plastic Warning

The UK has generated over 2.36m mt of packaging waste in oceans, rivers and landfills and contaminates the environment.

The government knows why this has been an issue: too many people use too much plastic and do not recycle or reuse it. And so they’re taking action to change this situation for the better. The government has plans to introduce packaging labelling with mentions of plastic to help consumers dispose of them properly.

We need labels on plastic items because the labels help us dispose of them better. When you throw a piece of plastic away that has no label, there’s a chance that it might just get thrown into the recycling bin by mistake.

The labels on plastic items tell you whether they’re recyclable or can be composted and where you can take them so that you can make sure that they end up where they’re supposed to.

The label also has information about what the item is made of so that when you toss it, you know exactly what you’re getting rid of. It isn’t perfect — we still have a lot to learn about sustainable manufacturing and disposal — but it’s a start. And it all starts with the label on your plastic item!

Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics

We all know how bad single-use plastics are for the environment: they take up space in landfills, harm sea creatures and birds, and don’t really biodegrade. So with the single-use plastic ban on the horizon, it might feel different to lead our lives without these plastic items. As much as we’ve become dependent on single-use plastic for our everyday life, there are better eco-friendly alternatives to replace plastics that work just as well.

1. Reusable Bags

Reusable bags make shopping a breeze by keeping your fruit, vegetables, and bulk goods separated from your other items. Plus, they are easy to clean!

2. Compostable Straws

Compostable straws are made from a renewable resource: mushrooms. They’re 100% compostable, BPA free, and reusable!

3. Glass Jars

Although glass jars are heavy, they have been around for decades and have proven to be durable. It is also possible to find glass jars with airtight lids that serve as storage containers for bulk goods like nuts and dried fruit.

4. Reusable Water Bottle

Made from materials such as glass or stainless steel and often equipped with a lid that seals shut for safety, these bottles are great for people on the go. They’re easy to refill when you’re out and about and super handy when you need an extra bottle around the house.

5. Bamboo Toothbrush

An eco-friendly alternative to plastic toothbrushes are bamboo toothbrushes. Bamboo toothbrushes are durable and can be composted or placed in a recycling bin when you’re done with them.

While it isn’t necessary to throw away all the single-use plastics you use in your household, you can always go for better and safer alternatives the next time you find yourself reaching for a plastic item in the supermarket.

If you want to do more for the environment, contact our team at Plastic Collectors to find out.

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