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In a month’s time, a new law banning a range of single-use plastics, such as cutlery, plates, straws, balloon sticks and polystyrene food containers, will come into force in Wales.

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.

It will come into effect from Monday October 30.

Last December, Wales became the first UK nation to legislate such a ban, which received Royal Assent back in the summer.

Local authorities across Wales will have the powers to enforce the ban on a range of single-use plastics.

The bill also gives Welsh Government ministers the power to, with the support of Senedd Members, to add or remove products from the banned list.

The Welsh Government’s climate change minister, Julie James, hailed the ban as a “proud moment for Wales”.

Ms James said: “If we all take a Team Wales approach and look to reuse, recycle and repair more, it’ll help create a greener future for generations to come.

“Single-use plastics are discarded without thought, causing harm to wildlife and our environment.

“These bans build on the actions of communities across Wales who are reducing their reliance on unnecessary single-use plastic.”

The minister continued: “We’re asking businesses and organisations to ready themselves for the change by reducing their stock levels, recycling existing stock and consider switching to reusable alternatives – and where this isn’t possible, looking at non-plastic alternatives.”

The second phase of the ban will include plastic single-use carrier bags, polystyrene lids for cups and food containers and products made of oxo-degradable plastic. This will come into force before the end of the Senedd term in 2026.

In 2011, Wales became one of the first countries in the world to introduce a charge for single-use carrier bags.

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, Hefin David, welcomed the ban and said he was “proud that Wales continues to lead the way when it comes to environmental protections”.

He added: “The new law is a key step in reducing the flow of damaging plastic waste in to our environments and local authorities will have a key part to play in its success.”