On 10 September 2020, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of United Kingdom has published SI 2020/971 The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020, which prohibit the use of single use plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers, with some exemptions. This regulation shall apply to England only. The following is the detail of the regulation:

Single use plastic straws

1. Single use plastic straw, as well as drink products with attached plastic straws shall be prohibited to be supplied on the market to an end user.
2. The prohibition on single use plastic straws shall not apply to the following products
   1. A single use plastic straw supplied by a retail pharmacy business;
   2. A catering establishment of a single use plastic straw together with food or drink which is supplied immediate consumption unless it is visible or requested by the consume;
   3. A single use plastic straw that is used as a relevant device or for medical purposes;
   4. A single use plastic straw that is a packaging;
   5. A single use plastic straw used in
      1. a care home;
      2. premises used for early years provision;
      3. a school; or
      4. a prison or other place of detention.

Single use plastic stemmed cotton buds

1. Single use plastic stemmed cotton buds shall be prohibited to be supplied on the market to an end user.
2. The prohibition on single use plastic stemmed cotton buds shall not apply to the following products:
   1. A single use plastic stemmed cotton bud that is used as a relevant device or for medical purposes;
   2. A single use plastic stemmed cotton bud that is supplied by a forensic service provider;
   3. A single use plastic stemmed cotton bud that is used for scientific purposes.

Single use plastic drink stirrer

Single use plastic drink stirrer shall be prohibited to be supplied on the market to an end user.

Effective date

1. 1 October 2020: prohibitions (with the relevant exemptions) other than the prohibition of plastic straws attaching on drink products (with the relevant exemptions).
2. 3 July 2021: prohibition of plastic straws attaching on drink products (with the relevant exemptions).

Note:

1. Attached plastic straw: a single use plastic straw which is attached to the packaging of a drink product and is intended to be used to consume that drink.
2. Catering establishment: a restaurant, canteen, club, public house or similar establishment (including a vehicle or a fixed or mobile stall) which supplies food or drink that is ready for consumption without further preparation.

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