Plans to ban plastic cutlery and polystyrene cups

The government plans to ban single use plastic cutlery, plates and polystyrene cups in England. Ministers say the 'war on plastic' will reduce litter and plastic waste in the oceans.

The ban will be discussed in the autumn after the European Union decided to ban such items last July, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have plans to do the same.

Having already banned plastic straws and stirrers, the government says it does not rule out including more plastic items in the forthcoming ban.

An exemption to plastic straws will allow hospitals, bars and restaurants to provide plastic straws to people with disabilities or certain medical conditions that require them.

See the BBC news article for full details.