Plastic straws and cotton buds ban: material could be made illegal in UK under Government drive to cut waste

Plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds may be banned in England under plans being set out by Theresa May.

A Government consultation on banning the disposable plastic products will launch later this year in a drive to help cut waste.

The announcement came as the Prime Minister urged Commonwealth leaders gathered in London to follow the UK’s example in tackling the issue.

Mrs May said plastic waste was "one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world" and the UK was taking a lead in tackling the problem.

She said: "Plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world, which is why protecting the marine environment is central to our agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

"The UK Government is a world leader on this issue, and the British public have shown passion and energy embracing our plastic bag charge and microbead ban.

“Today we have put forward ambitious plans to further reduce plastic waste from straws, stirrers and cotton buds.

"Alongside our domestic action, this week we are rallying Commonwealth countries to join us in the fight against marine plastics, with £61.4 million funding for global research and to improve waste management in developing countries.

Around 8.5 billion plastic straws are thrown away each year, potentially contributing to the over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the world's oceans.

The environmental catastrophe, highlighted by David Attenborough’s the popular BBC series Blue Planet II, sees a million birds and over 100,000 sea mammals die from eating and getting tangled in plastic waste.

Subject to the consultation, which Environment Secretary Michael Gove will launch later this year, the Government is prepared to ban the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England.

Officials will work with industry to develop alternatives and ensure there is sufficient time to adapt, and will also propose excluding plastic straws used for medical reasons.

Mr Gove said: "Single-use plastics are a scourge on our seas and lethal to our precious environment and wildlife so it is vital we act now.

"We have already banned harmful microbeads and cut plastic bag use and now we want to take action on straws, stirrers and cotton buds to help protect our marine life.

"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."

The Prime Minister has urged all Commonwealth countries to sign up to the newly-formed Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance and take action to eliminate avoidable plastic waste.

The £61.4 million package of funding will boost global research and help countries across the Commonwealth stop plastic waste from entering the oceans in the first place.