UK – The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging businesses to be prepared for the upcoming single-use plastics ban coming into force on October 1.
From October, businesses across England will not be able to supply certain single-use plastic items to members of the public.
The ban includes all single-use plastic cutlery, trays, plates, bowls, and balloon sticks, as well as banning the use of certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers used to supply food that is ready to consume.
Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, is warning that some shopkeepers are either unaware or unprepared for the upcoming change to regulations or single-use plastics on plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks which comes into force in just a few weeks time.
The new rules outlined by the government mean that businesses will face stringent regulations regarding single-use plastics, for online and over-the-counter sales and supply, item from new and existing stock, and include all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled.
Compliance with these regulations is essential, as breaches can result in fines for business owners and local authorities will be carrying out inspections.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira said: “The ban on single-use plastics is coming into force as from the 1st October, and breaches of these new regulations will result in fines for the business owners.
“It is therefore crucial to really understand the new regulations and start planning to use up old stock and bring in new legal products to replace the single-use plastic items.
“All new regulations invariably mean more cost to the business, but planning ahead can mitigate the impact of this.”
Businesses that continue to supply banned single-use plastic items after the legislation comes into effect could be given a fine.
It is estimated that England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery each year, and 721 million single-use plates. Only 10% of these items are recycled. Certain plastic items, such as straws, stirrers and cotton buds, have already been banned.
Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers, and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.
It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering in England. Plastic cutlery, for instance, was in the top 15 most littered items in the country by count in 2020.
Bira remains dedicated to advocating for the interests of independent retailers and helping them navigate the changing retail landscape. The association continues to work closely with its members, providing guidance and resources to aid their resilience and success.
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