The UK took a huge step toward reducing its single-use plastic pollution. Starting in October 2023, a variety of single-use items such as plastic cutlery, plates, bowls, polystyrene cups, cotton swabs, and balloon sticks will be banned. Fines of up to 10% of the UK revenue generated by the business that distributes these items and prison time for repeat offenders are part of the new draft legislation. Sarah Weller, the International Coastal Cleanup manager at The Ocean Conservancy, joins us to discuss the new ban, the prospects for more US legislation, and the current state of environmental protection in the US.
The British ban is a victory for the environment and will eliminate billions of pieces of plastic waste annually. Nick Mallos, the vice president of Ocean Plastics at The Ocean Conservancy, says the decision is a critical step in phasing out harmful single-use plastics and will help transition to a reusable system. We explore the role of design-for-recyclability and plastic recycling in a sustainable future. You can learn more about The Ocean Conservancy at oceanconservancy.org.
