Single-use plastics
Results updated 7 Mar 2024
Thank you to everyone who gave us their feedback.
We wanted to know your views on the council’s proposed Enforcement Guidance on Single Use Plastic before it was published. We heard from businesses that are affected by these regulations, residents and environmental campaigners.
Whilst the low number of responses is not enough to obtain a clear understanding of the public’s depth of feeling towards the policy, the results did not suggest that any specific amendments should be made about the approach and application of the legislation in Kingston.
A decision about the Single Use Plastic Enforcement Policy and Guidance will be made at the council’s Place Committee on 14 March 2024. Papers for this committee will be published shortly on the council’s website. You can attend the meeting, which starts at 7.30pm in the The Guildhall, in person or watch it online at kingston.public-i.tv.
Overview
Over the last few years Government legislation has been published with the aim of banning or restricting a variety of single-use plastic products, in order to help protect the environment and promote sustainability.
Examples include:
- A ban on plastic microbeads in cosmetics
- A ban on plastic earbuds
- A ban on plastic drink stirrers
- Restrictions on plastic bag use.
New legislation came into place on 1 October 2023 concerning the following single-use plastic items: plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks.
- Visit the Government website for an overview of what’s included.
- Visit the Government website for a detailed view of the legislation itself.
Retailers of these items, or businesses like takeaways or mobile food outlets, will have to sell-through their current stock and provide or use different products in the future.
While this legislation has been created by the Government, it will be for councils to ensure that it is being adhered to in their local areas.
There are a number of enforcement options available to a council if a local business is found to be in breach of the legislation.
Before we finalise and publish our chosen enforcement approach for single-use plastics, microbeads, drink stirrers, ear buds and plastic bags, we want to know what you think of the options available and how they could impact your business.
We recommend that you read through the links above and then refer to our ‘Draft single-use plastic guidance’ document before completing our short survey.
We have also added a document which gives examples of alternatives to single-use plastics which you can use.
Why your views matter
You may be a business that is directly affected by these regulations and it is important that we understand how you may be impacted.
You may be a resident or environmental campaigner who also has views you would like to express.
How to get in touch with us
If you have any questions, or need any of the information in a different format, please get in touch with us via phone: 020 8547 5000, or email trading.standards@kingston.gov.uk
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Business
- Residents
Interests
- Climate Change and Environment
- Waste & recycling
- Business
- Parks & green spaces
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