A ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England has been pushed back six months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ban has exemptions allowing those who need to use plastic straws for medical reasons or a disability to buy them from registered pharmacies or request them in restaurants, pubs and bars, and the use of plastic-stemmed cotton buds for medical and scientific purposes. The public consultation showed more than 80% of respondents backed a ban on the distribution and sale of plastic straws, 90% a ban on drinks stirrers, and 89% a ban on cotton buds. A ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England has been delayed by six months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (file image)Health Secretary Matt Hancock speaks during the daily coronavirus disease digital news conference in 10 Downing Street, April 15It is estimated that 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds are used each year in England, with around 10% of cotton buds flushed down toilets, often ending up in waterways or oceans, the Government said. A Defra spokesman said: 'Given the huge challenges posed to businesses by coronavirus, we have confirmed we will delay the introduction of our ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds until October 2020.

Source: Daily Mail April 15, 2020 20:31 UTC