Plastic straw ban ‘coming next year’

plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds could be banned as soon as next year, Michael Gove will announce today.

the Environment secretary says only legal enforcement will protect Britain’s environment from the scourge of throwaway plastic.

Many pub and takeaway chains, including McDonald’s, have introduced voluntary bans on plastic straws and most supermarkets have swapped plastic stems on cotton buds for paper alternatives.

But Mr Gove will say that the country ‘needs to do more’, adding: ‘Our precious oceans and the wildlife within need urgent protection from the devastation throwaway plastic items can cause.

‘today we step up our efforts to turn the tide on plastic pollution and ensure we leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it.’

the announcement comes in the wake of the Mail’s turn the tide on plastic campaign and efforts to cut the use of carrier bags, microbeads, coffee cups and bottles.

Greenpeace UK’s political adviser sam chetan Welsh welcomed today’s move, saying: ‘if we are to protect our oceans from the scourge of plastic, the flow of waste needs to be cut off at the tap.’ Kate Nicholls of UK Hospitality, which represents Britain’s hotel and restaurant sector, ‘ wholeheartedly welcomed’ a legal ban on straws and stirrers.

Keep Britain tidy said its army of volunteer litter pickers collect tens of thousands of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds ‘week in, week out’.

tesco is to be the first major supermarket to offer plastic-free sanitary products. tampons, pads and liners from the tOtM range will use organic cotton and eco-friendly materials such biodegradable applicators.