UK could ban plastic straws and cotton buds as soon as next year
By Caoimhe Toman
Date: Thursday 19 Apr 2018
(WebFG News) - In a new move to fight plastic pollution, the UK government has promised to place a ban on plastic drinking straws and cotton buds later in the year.
Prime Minister Theresa May announced the plans at the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Thursday.
The Prime Minister urged the former colonies to follow suit and said the UK will commit £61m to develop new means to clean up waste plastic, in a move designed to help save ecosystems including oceans.
By some measures, there were already over 150m tons of plastic littering the worlds oceans, hitting wildlife hard.
"Together we can effect real change so that future generations can enjoy a natural environment that is healthier than we currently find it," she said.
Ministers also said that just in the UK 8.5bn plastic straws are thrown away every year, with Environment secretary Michael Gove describing plastic waste as a worldwide emergency.
Ahead of the expected launch of a consultation later in 2018, Gove recently told the BBC: "We're going to consult on what the best way is in order to get rid of straws, get rid of stirrers and also get rid of plastic stemmed cotton buds that we use so many of."
"We've already seen a number of retailers, bars and restaurants stepping up to the plate and cutting plastic use, however it's only through government, business and the public working together that we will protect our environment for the next generation - we all have a role to play in turning the tide on plastic."
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