From 1 October 2023, the Government introduced new legislation prohibiting the sale, supply and offer of single-use plastic plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks. Furthermore, businesses must not supply ready-to-consume food and drink in polystyrene containers.

The ban on these items includes:

• online and over-the-counter sales and supply
• items from new and existing stock
• all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled
• items wholly or partly made from plastic, including coating or lining

Single-use means the item is meant to be used only once for its original purpose.

How to adapt to these new requirements

• Purchasing reusable alternatives to single-use items such as reusable plates, bowls and cutlery.
• for single-use items alternatives include bamboo or wood-based cutlery and paper-based plates.

There are exemptions and this rule does not apply if these objects are used as packaging in shelf-ready pre-packaged food items. For more information please read the full guidance on the single-use plastics ban.

On the Government's guidance page, you can find an email address for DEFRA should you require further advice and assistance. They can also provide technical information for manufacturers on expanded and extruded polystyrene.

This ban complements the existing restrictions on other single-use plastic items including plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers and the carrier bag charge.

Reporting a breach

If a business has not ceased using single-use plastics in a way that is not covered by the exemptions, you can report this to Derbyshire Trading Standards.