The UK has taken a big step towards reducing its single-use plastic pollution. From October 2023, a variety of single-use items such as plastic cutlery, plates, bowls, polystyrene cups, cotton swabs and balloon sticks will be prohibited. Fines of up to 10% of UK revenue generated by the company distributing these items and prison terms for repeat offenders are part of the new bill. Sarah Weller, Head of International Coastal Cleanup at ocean conservationjoins us to discuss the new ban, the prospects for additional US legislation, and the current state of environmental protection in the United States.
The UK ban is a win for the environment and will eliminate billions of plastic waste each year. Nick Mallos, vice president of Ocean Plastics at The Ocean Conservancy, said the decision is a critical step in phasing out harmful single-use plastics and will help transition to a reusable system. We explore the role of designing for recyclability and plastic recycling in a sustainable future. You can learn more about The Ocean Conservancy at oceanconservancy.org.
