Michael Gove’s eco ban on plastic straws and cotton buds could be in place within a year
A CONTROVERSIAL ban on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers could be in place within a year, Michael Give announces today.
The Environment Secretary reveals a speedier timetable than expected for his latest clampdown on pollutants as he begins a six week consultation on the plan.
Aides say he is determined to beat the EU’s twin track move to enforce it with a new law to come into effect between October 2019 and October 2020.
But Mr Gove also reveals he will allow some exceptions to the ban on single use plastics for medical reasons and to help the disabled.
Pharmacies and restaurants will still be able to carry a limited stock of the utensils.
Mr Gove said: “I commend retailers, bars and restaurants that have already committed to removing plastic straws and stirrers.
“But we recognise we need to do more.
“Our precious oceans and the wildlife within need urgent protection from the devastation throw-away plastic items can cause.”
Around 4.7 billion plastic straws are used in England every year, as well as 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds.
Many of the single-use plastic items take hundreds of years to break down.
Greenpeace said throwaway plastic is fuelling a global environmental, adding: “Ministers are doing the sensible thing, but this should be just the start.
“If we are to protect our oceans from the scourge of plastic, the flow of waste needs to be cut off at the tap.
And that means the companies producing and selling all this packaging must take responsibility for it and cut down the amount of plastic ending up in our shopping baskets.”
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