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.