CHESHIRE West and Chester Council is reminding businesses such as takeaways, sandwich bars, care homes and retailers of the single-use plastic ban which came into effect on October 1.

Businesses across the UK will be no longer be able to supply certain single-use plastic items to members of the public.

The ban relates to plastic plates, bowls and trays, unless:

  • The business is a supplier, supplying them to another business.
  • They are packaging which is pre-filled or filled at the point of sale, for example, salad bowls, etc.

Plastic cutlery and balloon sticks are banned with no exemption.

Plastic polystyrene food and drink containers are banned, unless the contents need further preparation before consumption, for example, adding water, microwaving, etc.

From October 1, subject to the exemptions, members of the public are not to be supplied with these products by any business - including retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry. The ban will apply to online and over-the-counter sales.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "Certain plastic items, such as straws, stirrers and cotton buds, have already been banned.

"Businesses who continue to supply banned single-use plastic items after the legislation comes into effect could face a fine or prosecution. This will be enforced by the Council."

Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers, and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.

It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering in England.

Instead of these single-use items, businesses are being advised to:

  • Swap plastic for bamboo or wooden cutlery for takeaway food.
  • Swap plastic for metal cutler for in-house 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 container for takeaway food.

Guidance has also been added to the GOV.UK website.