Single-use plastic ban: plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds

This legal instrument restricts the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds to the end user in England. There are some exemptions to the supply of plastic straws and plastic-stemmed cotton buds, e.g., for medical uses. The intention of the restrictions is to help protect the environment for future generations, improve the quality of the environment, and reduce harm to human health and marine life. This instrument will ensure that drinking straws, stirrers and cotton buds sold in England are made of more environmentally friendly materials as well as promote the use of reusable alternatives. The restrictions also intend to increase consumer and business awareness of the environmental harms which single-use plastics can cause when they are incorrectly disposed of.