Single use plastic ban takes effect in Wales

A number of singles use plastics have been banned from being supplied in Wales from 30 October.

The purpose of the new law is to reduce the flow of plastic pollution into environment by prohibiting the supply of certain single-use plastic products.

Climate change minister Julie James said the act forms part of the Welsh government’s response to the climate and nature emergencies and “builds on momentum created by communities across Wales who have chosen to go plastic free, defy throwaway culture and tackle littering”.

Public support for the ban has been positive with more than 87 per cent of people backing the move.

The following items are now banned from being sold across the country:

• Single-use plastic plates
• Single-use plastic cutlery
• Single-use plastic drinks stirrers 
• Cups made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
• Takeaway food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
• Single-use plastic balloon sticks
• Single-use plastic-stemmed cotton buds
• Single-use plastic drinking straws (exemptions for those who need them to eat and drink safely and independently)

“This is the first step in phasing out the need for unnecessary single-use plastic being used and sold in Wales,” James said.

“We’re committed to eradicating single-use plastic and our next phase will see the banning of plastic single-use carrier bags, polystyrene lids for cups and food containers and products made of oxo-degradable plastic, which will come into force before the end of the Senedd term.”

The government is also looking at banning plastic based wet wipes.