Starting from 1st October 2023, retailers are legally restricted from supplying, selling, or offering single-use plastic items such as plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers. Retailers are advised to exhaust their existing stock before October, source alternative single-use materials, and contemplate offering more reusable items.
According to the figures disclosed by the ACS Voice of Local Shops Survey of over 1200 retailers, numerous vendors are already furnishing plastic-free alternatives in their businesses. 42% of independent retailers surveyed are providing paper cups for customers, with 40% offering paper bags for fresh produce and 33% supplying paper straws for drinks served in stores.
Additionally, the guidance also includes information on scenarios that will be exempt. For example, retailers can still supply food or drink in polystyrene containers if it requires further preparation before consumption. Further preparation could mean adding water, microwaving, or toasting.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman expressed that convenience retailers are dedicated to making a positive difference in the communities where they operate and have been working to reduce plastic waste for several years now. Thousands of retailers have already implemented voluntary carrier bag charges in England before they were mandatory.
Considering the above, we strongly encourage retailers to familiarize themselves with the guidance to ensure that they are prepared for when the ban on single-use plastic items comes into force. The full guidance is available here.
