Parliament set to use compostable cutlery, straws and coffee cups in a bid to eliminate single-use plastics

Parliament will begin using compostable cutlery, coffee cups, drinking straws and other items in the waging war against single-use plastics.

New waste bins are also being especially introduced for the compostable items – which will then be sent to a specialist waste facility.

The products are one of several measures announced earlier this year in an aim to eliminate single-use avoidable plastics from the Commons and the Lords by 2019.

The first phase of the plan saw the introduction of reusable coffee cups already sold to MPs, peers, visitors, and staff working in Parliament.

From next month, bottled water will no longer be sold in Parliament, immediately removing 120,000 plastic bottles from circulation annually.

Plastic condiment sachets have also been deemed unnecessary and will be replaced with a sustainable alternative.

"I am delighted to see significant progress being made in tackling single use avoidable plastics in Parliament, said Tory MP Sir Paul Beresford, who chairs the Commons administration committee which recommended the proposals.

"The measures we are introducing are ambitious and wide ranging, covering not just coffee cups but an array of items from plastic bottles, our new compostable products, to condiment sachets and stationery.

"Our aim is to remove, as far as possible, disposable plastic items from the Parliamentary Estate. Our challenging targets reflect Parliament's commitment to leading the way in environmental sustainability," he added.

Lord Laming, chairman of the House of Lords Services Committee, which agreed the proposals for the Lords, added: "Parliament has acknowledged the damaging effect single-use disposable plastic is having on the environment and that it must lead the way in valuing our environmental future over convenience.

"This review has taken a holistic approach to plastic reduction, considering everything from disposable cutlery to packaging."