Single-use plastic cutlery to be banned in England

Single-use plastic cutlery is to be banned in England across restaurants, cafés and takeaways, according to reports.

The Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday that plastic plates, bowls and trays that are used as packaging for takeaway food and drink in supermarkets and shops will not be covered by the ban, with an announcement expected this week.

Environment secretary Therese Coffey told the paper: "A plastic fork can take 200 years to decompose – that is two centuries in landfill or polluting our oceans. I am determined to drive forward action to tackle this issue head on. We know there is more to do, and we have again listened to the public's calls."

The move follows a public consultation into the issue, which launched in 2021. A ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds has already been in place in England since October 2020.

Since last year, it has been an offence for operators in Scotland to give customers plastic cutlery, plates and stirrers.