Additional single-use plastics ban
A further ban on single-use plastic items came into effect on 1 October.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Public Protection officers are reminding businesses, such as takeaways, sandwich bars, care homes and retailers who supply certain single-use plastic items, that the ban came into force on Sunday.
It means that from 1 October, businesses across England will not be able to supply certain single-use plastic items to members of the public.
The ban relates to single use plastic plates, bowls and trays, unless:
- The business is a supplier, supplying them to another business.
- They are packaging which is prefilled or filled at the point of sale, for example, salad bowls, etc.
Plastic cutlery and balloon sticks are banned with no exemption.
Plastic polystyrene food and drink containers are banned, unless the contents need further preparation before consumption, for example, adding water, microwaving, etc.
From 1 October, subject to the exemptions, members of the public will not be supplied these products from any business – this includes retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry and the ban will apply to online and over-the-counter sales.
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said:
Certain plastic items, such as straws, stirrers and cotton buds, have already been banned. Businesses who continue to supply banned single-use plastic items after the legislation comes into effect could face a fine or prosecution. This will be enforced by the Council.
Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers, and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.
It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering in England.
Businesses could:
- Swap plastic for bamboo or wooden cutlery for takeaway food
- Swap plastic for metal cutlery for in-house guests
- Swap single use plastic plates or bowls to re-usable alternatives that can be washed
- Offer paper plates instead of plastic
- Offer to refill customers’ water bottles or travel cups
- Encourage customers to bring their own clean containers for takeaway food.
Further guidance can be found online: