New bans and restrictions on polluting single-use plastics come into force from 1 October 

Gov.UK has released details of the action being taken to protect the environment from plastic pollution which came into force this weekend (Sunday 1 October), with bans and restrictions on a range of polluting single-use plastic items.

The single-use plastics ban is part of the Government’s wider world-leading action to tackle plastic pollution and eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042. The Government previously banned microbeads in rinse-off personal care products in 2018 and restricted the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in 2020.

The Government also previously introduced the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) in April 2022, a tax of more than £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in or imported to the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic.  See our guide to the PPT for further information.  

If you wish to find out more about PPT and discuss how it may affect your business, please contact your local East Midlands office.