Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned in England, government reveals

Move will ‘stop pollution of billions of pieces of plastic’, says environment secretary Therese Coffey

Cafes and takeaway outlets will be stopped from providing plastic cutlery (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups are set to be banned in England, under government plans confirmed by environment secretary Therese Coffey.

The government will take action to outlaw a series of throwaway food and drink items known to pollute the rivers and oceans due to poor rates of recycling by the end of the 2023.

Responses to a long-running government consultation on proposals to ban some plastic items is set to be released next week, is thought to include plastic cutlery, trays and bowls.