A number of single-use plastics have been banned from being supplied in Wales today.
The move follows a Welsh Government commitment to ‘embed our response to the climate and nature emergency in everything we do’
The purpose of the new law is to reduce the flow of plastic pollution into our environment by prohibiting the supply of certain single-use plastic products.
Climate Change Minister Julie James explained the Act forms part of the Welsh Government’s response to the climate and nature emergencies and “builds on momentum created by communities across Wales who have chosen to go plastic free, defy throwaway culture and tackle littering.”
Public support for the ban has been positive with more than 87 per cent of people backing the move.
As of today, the following items are now banned from being sold across the country:
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Single-use plastic plates
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Single-use plastic cutlery
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Single-use plastic drinks stirrers
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Cups made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
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Takeaway food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
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Single-use plastic balloon sticks
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Single-use plastic-stemmed cotton buds
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Single-use plastic drinking straws (exemptions for those who need them to eat and drink safely and independently)
Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said:
