Disposable plastic cutlery and plates could be banned in England as government launches consultation

Alternatives to single use plastic are available and the technology to make them is improving, ITV News Reporter Faye Barker reports

Disposable plastic plates and cutlery, and polystyrene cups, could be banned in England as the government plans to cut environmentally damaging waste.

A public consultation will be launched in the autumn, as the government hopes to encourages businesses to use more sustainable alternatives.

Each person on average uses 18 plastic plates and 37 plastic items of cutlery each year in England, according the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It warned that the durability of plastic means many items used for a few minutes can last for centuries in landfill or as litter in the countryside or ocean.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We’ve all seen the damage that plastic does to our environment. It is right that we put in place measures that will tackle the plastic carelessly strewn across our parks and green spaces and washed up on beaches.

“We have made progress to turn the tide on plastic, banning the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds, while our carrier bag charge has cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets.

“Now we are looking to go a step further as we build back greener. These plans will help us stamp out the unnecessary use of plastics that wreak havoc with our natural environment.”

The government has already banned plastic microbeads in personal care products, single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds, and has reduced the use of plastic bags.

The government hopes to prevent all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042.

Jo Morley, head of campaigns at City to Sea, said: “We welcome the news that the government are taking steps to tackle some of the most polluting single-use items. This is a much-needed move, that we as campaigners have been calling for, along with thousands of our supporters and members of the public.

“We need now to take a leading role in banning unnecessary single-use plastics to see real benefits for the nation’s and the world’s wildlife.”