Single use plastics

The Government has announced a widening ban on more single use plastic items that is expected to come into effect on Sunday 1 October 2023.

It means that from October, businesses across England, including takeaways, sandwich bars, care homes and other retailers, will not be able to supply certain single-use plastic items to members of the public.

Businesses should start thinking now about alternatives and where to source them from.

The ban includes all single-use plastic cutlery, trays, plates, bowls, and balloon sticks, as well as banning the use of certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers used to supply food that is ready to consume.

There are exemptions to the ban. You can read more about the change and the exemptions to it in guidance published by The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

From October, subject to the exemptions, members of the public won’t 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.

The ban includes the supply of items by businesses from new and existing stock and includes single-use plastic that is biodegradable, compostable, recycled and items wholly or partly made from plastic, including the coating or lining.

It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering in England. Plastic cutlery, for instance, was in the top 15 most littered items in the country in 2020.

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.

Business Companion

The Business Companion website provides information for businesses on trading standards and consumer protection law.

The guidance covers areas such as:

• what you sell (goods, services, digital)
• the difference in selling on your premises or off, or online
• sales restricted by age
• food, pricing and safety

Buy With Confidence for businesses

The Buy With Confidence scheme was put together by a partnership of local authority trading standards services in response to concern about rogue traders.

Every business listed in the scheme has undergone a series of tests to check it is reputable and provides excellent service.

The ‘Buy With Confidence Trading Standards Approved stamp’ instils confidence in prospective customers and shows that the business is committed to trading fairly.

• Find out how to apply to join Buy With Confidence.