The proposed ban on the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds has been delayed due to the coronavirus crisis, the government has confirmed.
“In light of the unprecedented situation that this country has faced due to Covid-19, [the regulations] were delayed to reduce the burden placed on industry and to avoid adding further to the demands placed on local authorities,” Environment Minister Rebecca Pow told the parliament.
The regulation, which prohibits retail establishments from displaying, supplying or offering to supply plastic straws to customers, has been laid in parliament in March, and was expected to take effect in April.
“We were asked to delay entry into force for a short time whilst we were in the peak of this crisis. Delaying the regulations was only a temporary measure in response to this crisis,” Pow added.
The measure is part of the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste and follows a ban on microbeads and the introduction of a 5p charge on plastic bags in major supermarkets.
The regulation exempts plastic straws attached to the packaging of a drink product and intended to be used to consume that drink till 3 July 2021.
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