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A new law banning a range of single-use plastics, such as cutlery, plates, straws, balloon sticks and polystyrene food containers, is set to come into force in Wales from October.
The ban, which was backed by Senedd Members, has now received Royal Assent.
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill, will make it an offence to supply or offer unnecessary disposable single-use plastics to consumers.
Which single-use plastics could be banned?
- Cutlery;
- Plates;
- Stirrers;
- Drinking straws – this product has an exemption for health needs;
- Plastic stemmed cotton buds;
- Balloon sticks;
- Expanded and foamed extruded polystyrene fast-food containers;
- Expanded and foamed extruded polystyrene cups;
- Polystyrene lids for all cups and fast-food containers;
- Thin plastic single-use carrier bags;
- All products made of oxo-degradable plastic.
The decision to include these products follows a consultation in 2020, with all having non-plastic or reusable alternatives.
Source: Welsh Government
It would give local authorities across Wales the powers to enforce the ban on a range of single-use plastics.
The bill would give Welsh Government ministers the power to, with the support of Senedd Members, to add or remove products from the banned list.
The Welsh Government has previously said it will also work with industry, businesses, third sector bodies, academia, and others to help develop future policies.
In 2011, Wales became one of the first countries in the world to introduce a charge for single-use carrier bags.
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