Wales enacts single-use plastic ban

Polystyrene cups containers credit Pat Hayes
Sustainability

In alignment with their pledge to incorporate climate and nature emergency responses into all their actions, the Welsh Government has enacted a new law aimed at curbing plastic pollution in the environment.

The ban has garnered strong public support, with over 87% of the population favouring the initiative.

As of Monday (30 October 2023), the sale of the following single-use plastic items is prohibited throughout Wales:

  • Single-use plastic plates
  • Single-use plastic cutlery
  • Single-use plastic drinks stirrers
  • Cups made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
  • Takeaway food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
  • Single-use plastic balloon sticks
  • Single-use plastic-stemmed cotton buds
  • Single-use plastic drinking straws (with exemptions for individuals requiring them for safe eating and drinking)
Polystyrene cups containers credit Pat Hayes
Polystyrene cups & containers © Pat Hayes

Climate Change Minister, Julie James, stated that this legislation is a significant step in their approach to climate and nature emergencies. It builds upon the growing movement in Welsh communities that have chosen to reduce plastic usage, oppose disposable culture, and combat littering.

This is the first step in phasing out the need for unnecessary single-use plastic being used and sold in Wales. We’re committed to eradicating single-use plastic and our next phase will see the banning of plastic single-use carrier bags, polystyrene lids for cups and food containers and products made of oxo-degradable plastic, which will come into force before the end of the Senedd term.

Latest Packaging News

Aldi debuts 'world-first' aluminium-free full barrier carton
Sustainability

Aldi debuts 'world-first' aluminium-free full barrier carton

SIG has introduced what it describes as the world’s first full barrier aseptic carton pack without...
PACK EXPO Las Vegas celebrates 30 years of innovation
Events

PACK EXPO Las Vegas celebrates 30 years of innovation

PACK EXPO Las Vegas, one of North America’s most comprehensive packaging and processing events is...
Paramount Packaging Systems: Staying ahead in 2025 with Fuji flow wrappers
Supplier News

Paramount Packaging Systems: Staying ahead in 2025 with Fuji flow wrappers

As we step further into 2025, the packaging industry is seeing a wave of innovation – driven by...
Sustainable child-resistant closure launched for household products
Supplier News

Sustainable child-resistant closure launched for household products

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, developed a...
M&S deploys UV tag technology to monitor milk bottle recycling
Sustainability

M&S deploys UV tag technology to monitor milk bottle recycling

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has introduced ultraviolet (UV) tags on its four-pint milk bottles as...