Government urges other Commonwealth countries to eliminate plastic waste

Announced today (April 19), the government will abolish the sale of plastic straws, drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, Theresa May is to call on all other Commonwealth countries to take action against such ‘plastic pollution’.

According to the government, it is aiming to meet the 25 Year Environment Plan, eliminating avoidable plastic waste. This is said to tie in with the government’s current plan to use the tax system efficiently for a person’s single use of plastics.

Prime Minister, Theresa May said: “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.

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

The government is aiming to develop alternatives in order to eliminate such plastic items, ensuring there is ‘sufficient time’ to adapt to the changes.

A recent study has shown that, in the UK, 8.5 billion plastic straws are thrown away every year, thus affecting our land, seas and rivers.

Environment Secretary, Michael Gove added: “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, businesses 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.”

There are over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the world’s oceans. Every year, one million birds and over 100,000 sea mammals die from eating and getting tangled in plastic waste.