From 1 October 2023 DEFRA will be imposing additional bans and restrictions on single-use plastic items. The upcoming ban includes polystyrene cups and food containers, single-use plastic cutlery and single-use balloon sticks. There will also be a restriction to the supply of single-use plastic trays and bowls to members of the public, although businesses can continue to supply these items if they are used as packaging in shelf-ready pre-packaged food items.
The government response to the consultation on these bans, published in January, set out that these restrictions would be introduced from October 2023 instead of April 2023, giving businesses more time to prepare. Businesses will need to use up existing stock and find alternative substitutes or reuse solutions by 1 October 2023.
This ban compliments the existing restrictions on other single-use plastic items including plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers and our carrier bag charge.
More information
- Access single-use plastics ban Q&As
- Download the single-use plastics ban poster, as illustrated below, to see what items are included and what items are exempt
- View the single-use plastics ban toolkit for useful communication products
- Guidance: New restrictions on polystyrene cups and food containers, single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, trays, bowls and plates
- Guidance: Existing single-use plastic item restrictions
- Guidance: Carrier bag charge.
If you have any questions about what the new rules mean for your business, please email our Plastics team.
