The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has published new guidance for businesses on how to prepare for the single-use plastic items ban which comes into effect on 1 October 2023.

From 1 October 2023 businesses must no longer supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items in England – items covered by the ban include:

• Plates, bowls and trays
• Cutlery and balloon sticks
• Polystyrene food and drink containers
• The ban on these items will include:
• online and over-the-counter sales and supply
• items from new and existing stock
• all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled items wholly or partly made from plastic, including coating or lining

‘Single use’ means the item is meant to be used only once for its original purpose.

The guidance explains that businesses can prepare for the new rules by:

• using up existing stock before 1 October
• finding re-usable alternatives to single-use items
• using different materials for single-use items

There are some exemptions to the ban, depending on the item.

From 1 October businesses must not supply single-use plastic plates, trays and bowls to members of the public. However, businesses can still supply certain single-use plastic plates, bowls and trays if either of the following apply:

• you are supplying them to another business
• the items are packaging (pre-filled or filled at the point of sale)

Examples of this type of packaging include:

• a pre-filled salad bowl or ready meal packaged in a tray
• a plate filled at the counter of a takeaway
• a tray used to deliver food

There are no exemptions to the ban on single-use plastic cutlery or balloon sticks.

From 1 October businesses must not supply ready-to-consume food and drink in polystyrene containers, including polystyrene cups. However, certain exemptions allow businesses to still supply food or drink in polystyrene containers if it needs further preparation before it is consumed. For example, further preparation could mean adding water, microwaving or toasting.

Defra said that ocal authorities will carry out inspections to make sure the rules are being followed.

Inspectors can:

• visit a shop or store
• make test purchases
• speak to staff
• ask to see records

Businesses who continue to supply banned single-use plastics after 1 October could be fined. For companies who break the law, inspectors can order the business to cover the cost of the investigation. However, Defra said that any fines imposed can be appealed within 28 days of getting a fine.