IT’S pLaSTIc baNTaSTIc
Victory for sunday Mail’s last straw caMpaign straws and other single-use items outlawed
Plastic straws will be e outlawed in Scotland this is week in a major victory for or the Sunday Mail’s campaign gn against toxic single-use items. ms.
The ban also makes it illegal to make or supply disposable plastic cutlery,lery, balloon sticks, plates and drink stirrers,rers, plus polystyrene food containers and cups.
We launched our Last Straw campaignaign in January 2018 and quickly convincednced retailers including McDonald’s to switch to paper alternatives, as well as putting pressure on the Scottish Government to enact new legislation.
In Februar y, we joined David A t tenborough’s award- winning cameraman Doug Allan and utilities giant Scottish Water calling for toxic plastic wet wipes to also be eradicated.
Campaigners have welcomed the rules which come into force on Wednesday – while calling for action on wet wipes.
Brian Lironi, Scottish Water’s director of corporate affairs said: “We welcome the progress that is being made on tackling the damage caused by single use plastics.
“We believe the case for banning wipes that contain plastic has been made and it’s time to properly address the harm they cause to the environment and nature.
“Scot t i sh Water’s Nature Calls campaign continues to gather momentum and we look forward to the day when harmful wipes are added to the list of items which should no longer be in circulation.”
After a host of companies backed our Last Straw campaign, ex- environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced in 2018 that Scotland would become the first country in Europe to implement a ban.
It has however taken until now for the pledge to be delivered. UK Government Brexit laws to ensure a level playing field within Britain posed a major hurdle.
There are exemptions in the legislation for straws and balloon sticks intended to be used by people with disabilities.
A YouGov poll has revealed 84 per cent of Scottish consumers believe products with plastics should be taken off shelves.
Like straws and other disposable items, wet wipes take over 100 years to break down, destroy beaches and kill wildlife.
Already, Tesco has said it will not stock new wipes, Sainsbury’s is committed to ending the sale and Waitrose insists it has no wet wipes with plastic.
The Scottish Government has insisted it wants to work with the UK Government to implement a ban and Tory ministers have also indicated support for the plan.