The Government announced this news at the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit and Prime Minister Theresa May is now calling on all other Commonwealth countries to join in the fight against plastic pollution. The single-use plastics ban will include plastic straws and cotton swabs and could be enforced as early as next year in England. A consultation will start later in 2018.
8.5 billion plastic straws are thrown away each year in the UK and are one of the top 10 items found in beach clean-ups. A single plastic straw can take up to 500 years to decompose! The All England Lawn Tennis Club Wimbledon have also announced that there will be no plastic straws used in its bars, cafes and restaurants during this year’s Wimbledon fortnight – last year more than 400,000 plastic straws were used during the tournament.
Plastic waste is littering our oceans and threatens the lives of millions of marine species including dolphins and whales and it is only through government, business and the public working together that we will all protect the environment and wildlife for the next generation.
