​What are Single-use Plastics?

​​​​​​​​​​Single‑use plastics are plastic items designed to be used once. They cannot be reused or refilled. Examples include: 

  • coffee cups

  • plastic cutlery

  • plastic straws​

  • plastic plates

​​​Why phase out single-use plastics?​​​

​Single-use plastic items may also be classed as problematic and unnecessary.

Problematic plastics:

  • are difficult to collect or recover through public bins or kerbside collection.

  • are difficult or expensive to recycle through commercially available recycling technologies contaminate waste streams meaning other materials or resources cannot be recovered, collected, or recycled.

  • are easily littered and leak from waste collection sites.

  • are ​manufactured with materials or chemicals that present a risk to human health and the environment. 

  • are manufactured with additives that accelerate the breakdown of an item into polluting microplastics. 

Unnecessary plastics can be avoided without compromising on consumer needs in most cases, for example: plastic beverage stirrers or pizza savers. These items can also be easily replaced or redesigned with sustainable alternatives.

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Plastics Policy