Banning and Restrictions on Single-Use Plastic Items in UK: What You Need to Know

UK bannned single use plastic items with some exemptions.The ban on single-use plastic items, including polystyrene food and drink containers, drinks stirrers, balloon sticks, and cutlery, is in place for online and over-the-counter sales and supply. However, businesses can supply these items if they are supplying them to another business or are packaging, pre-filled, or filled at the point of sale. Some businesses, such as registered pharmacies, catering establishments, medical devices and uses, and care homes, prisons, schools, and early years providers, can supply single-use plastic straws for medical purposes.

Polystyrene containers cannot be used for ready-to-consume food and drink, such as takeaways. However, polystyrene boxes used by fishers to store and transport freshly caught fish are not banned. Drink stirrers, balloon sticks, cutlery, and polystyrene food containers are not banned.

Local authorities will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the ban. If a business breaks the law, they may face fines and ordered to cover the cost of the investigation. If a fine is received, businesses can appeal within 28 days.

Alternatives to single-use plastic are encouraged, but if not suitable, single-use items made from other materials, such as wood or paper, can be supplied and sold.