European Parliament votes for extensive ban on single-use plastics

The European Parliament has voted for to implement an extensive ban on single-use plastics to counter pollution entering the world’s oceans.

Products including plastic plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds will all be eradicated as of 2021 under the plans. The ban is intended to affect items for which valid alternatives are available, which are estimated to make up over 70 per cent of marine litter.

The EU’s regulations will now have to be approved in talks with member states, some of which are likely to push back against the strict new rules.