Sefton Council is reminding local businesses, such as takeaways, sandwich bars, care homes and retailers who supply certain single-use plastic items, that a government ban comes into force this Sunday, 1^st October.

The ban means that businesses across England will not be able to supply certain single-use plastic items to members of the public.

Single-use plastic items

Items included in the ban are all single-use plastic cutlery, trays, plates, bowls, and balloon sticks. As well as banning the use of certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers used to supply food that is ready to consume. 

From October, subject to the exemptions, members of the public won’t be able to buy these products from any business in England.

It applies to both online and over-the-counter sales. 

The ban also includes the supply of items by businesses from new and existing stock and includes single-use plastic that is biodegradable, compostable, recycled and items wholly or partly made from plastic, including the coating or lining. 

Exemptions

There are some exemptions and more information about the change and exemptions can be found in guidance published by The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA): Single-use plastic ban | GOV.UK  

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: “Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and damages our oceans, greenspaces, and town centres.  

“In Sefton, we are only too aware of the plastics that can end up at our coast, damaging the protected landscape and threatening endangered wildlife. 

 “The Council are supportive of all steps being made to help reduce plastic waste and littering across our borough and beyond.” 

Single-use plastic alternatives

Alternatives for businesses include: 

• Swap plastic for bamboo or wooden cutlery for takeaway food 
• Swap plastic for metal cutlery for inhouse guests 
• Swap single use plastic plates or bowls to re-usable alternatives that can be washed 
• Offer paper plates instead of plastic 
• Offer to refill customers’ water bottles or travel cups 
• Encourage customers to bring their own clean containers for takeaway food 

Support and advice

Sefton’s Public Protection Service are on hand to help local businesses should they have any questions or concerns as the ban comes into force this Sunday. Residents can get in touch with the team by emailing: ETSContact@sefton.gov.uk