Wales introduces ban on single-use plastic items

A ban on various single-use plastic items has come into force in Wales about a month after similar moves in England and Scotland.

The Welsh Government said the rule changes demonstrated its commitment to the climate and nature emergency.

From today, the following items are now banned from being sold across Wales in a bid to reduce the flow of plastic pollution into the local environment:

• Single-use plastic plates, cutlery and drinks stirrers
• Cups and food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
• Single-use plastic balloon sticks, plastic-stemmed cotton buds and drinking straws

Climate change minister Julie James said the Act forms part of the Welsh Government’s response to the climate and nature emergencies and “builds on momentum created by communities across Wales who have chosen to go plastic free, defy throwaway culture and tackle littering”.

She added: “Many businesses across Wales have already adopted the change prior to the ban by switching to reusable products or swapping out their plastic for cardboard or paper alternatives where reusables aren’t suitable.

“We’re also looking at plastic-based wet wipes which can block drains, contribute to flooding and add microplastic fibres to our environment.

“If we all take a ‘Team Wales’ approach and look to reuse, recycle and repair more, it’ll help create a greener future for generations to come.”

The government said that public support for the ban had been positive, with more than 87 per cent of people backing it.

According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, people living in England use 2.7 billion single-use plastic cutlery items and 721 million single-use plates every year, with only 10 per cent of them being recycled.

In late September, businesses in England were banned from using a range of plastic items mostly equivalent to those included in the Welsh legislation.

The ban did not apply to single-use plastic items used in pre-packaged food, as these will be included in future plans for an extended producer responsibility scheme.

Plastic pollution typically takes hundreds of years to break down, inflicts environmental damage and spreads microplastics, which could be harmful to human health.

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