A Guide for Business Owners: Navigating the UK Single-Use Plastics Ban
As of October 1, 2023, the UK government has enacted a comprehensive single-use plastics ban aimed at combating plastic pollution. This sweeping regulation targets a variety of single-use plastics, including cutlery, as well as polystyrene cups and food containers. Even plastic stirrers and oxo-degradable plastics are now prohibited.
If you’re a coffee shop or takeaway business owner, you might find the new UK single-use plastics ban regulations overwhelming. But don’t worry, Made Not to Last is here to guide you with a wide range of plant-based, compostable packaging alternatives that won’t cost the earth! (Jump to products)
Why This Ban Matters
Plastic pollution is a critical issue that impacts our environment on multiple fronts, from our oceans and rivers to greenhouse gas emissions.
The new ban aims to significantly reduce the use of items contributing to this problem. For example, in England alone, people use 2.7 billion items of mostly plastic single-use cutlery and 721 million single-use plates every year.
Shockingly, only 10% of these are recycled. This ban is a major step towards reducing plastic waste and littering.
Alternatives – Getting Ahead of the UK Single-Use Plastics Ban
At Made Not to Last, we’re ahead of the curve. All our products are not just in line with the new UK government guidelines, but the majority are also compostable.
We offer a comprehensive range of compostable options that meet sustainability criteria while catering to your practical needs for food storage.
Our products are designed to keep your food fresh, hot, and well-sealed, balancing cost, sustainability and functionality.
Plastics Ban: What is banned, and what are the alternatives?
Banned: Single-Use Plastic Cutlery
Alternative: Our compostable paper cutlery range is a straightforward swap for your plastic forks, knives, spoons, and chopsticks.
Explore our wooden cutlery options >>
Banned: Polystyrene and Expanded Polystyrene Lids
Alternatives: We offer compostable hot cups, coffee cups and lids. Made from CPLA, paper or moulded fibre.
Banned: Expanded Polystyrene Cups and Containers
Alternatives: Our Bagasse Clamshells, Kraft Boxes, trays, soup containers and Bon Appetit bowls are just some of the excellent, eco-friendly, and practical alternatives to single-use expanded polystyrene cups and containers.
Banned: Oxo-Degradable Plastics
Alternative: Our paper bags are a fantastic, eco-friendly alternative that are both practical and durable.
Banned: Plastic Stirrers
Our wooden coffee stirrers are a sustainable choice that doesn’t compromise on quality.
The new single-use plastics ban is a significant milestone in the UK’s journey towards sustainability. We’re here to help you navigate these changes smoothly. Our team of experts is always on hand to offer personalised advice tailored to your business needs. Feel free to reach out for a consultation.
At Made Not to Last, we’re committed to making sustainability both simple and effective for your business.