Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned
The move will help protect the natural environment for future generations, according to environment secretary Thérèse Coffey.
She said: “A plastic fork can take 200 years to decompose, that is two centuries in landfill or polluting our oceans.
“I am determined to drive forward action to tackle this issue head on. We’ve already taken major steps in recent years – but we know there is more to do, and we have again listened to the public’s calls.”
Last year UKHospitality (UKH) backed the proposed ban of single-use plastics. According to the trade body’s chief executive Kate Nicholls, many hospitality businesses had already moved away from single-use plastics or were putting place plans to do so.
Government figures suggested 1.1bn single-use plates and more than 4bn pieces of plastic cutlery were used in England every year.
Pollution problem
Plastic waste often does not decompose and can last in landfill for many years. It can end up in litter, in turn polluting soil and water.
The confirmation of the move from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) follows a long consultation, which will be published on Saturday 14 January.
Nicholls said the sector was leading the way on the issue, as it was committed to prioritising sustainable practices.
But all hospitality businesses will need Government support if they were to make the transition to non-plastic items successfully and time for 2023, she added.
Government help
She said the Government should be prepared to offer financial support where necessary to businesses sourcing and buying alternatives to plastic so they did not suffer “unintended consequences”.
UKH suggested there should be exemptions for all plastic bowls, plates and trays used as ‘eat in’ and ‘take out’ packaging, to avoid confusion among customers and added costs.
Without these exemptions, UKH said businesses offering both ‘eat in’ and ‘take out’ services would be unfairly affected, as it would be “incredibly difficult for [them] to offer every item on the menu as ‘take out’, with the plastic packaging available; but also ‘eat in’, on a reusable plate”.
