How Will The UK Plastic Ban Affect The Food And Drink Industry?

The UK Government recently announced its plans to ban plastic straws and other single-use plastics from sale next year in a bid to tackle the growing issues that they are causing in seas and rivers.

The announcement follows the UK's ban of microbeads at the beginning of the year and the introduction of the plastic bag charge in retail. Since introducing the plastic bag charge, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has reported that 9 billion fewer plastic bags have been distributed.

The government is set to work with industry to develop new initiatives to overcome the problem. Michael Gove, the Defra secretary, stated: "It is only through government, business and the public working together that we will protect our environment for the next generation".