Single-Use Plastic Bans Elsewhere Foreshadow US Future
Regulations against plastic packaging might be happening faster in other countries. But US companies need to be aware of implications here all the same.
The United Kingdom has made a massive step toward a sustainable future by banning single-use plastics for commercial and residential purposes. The ban officially took effect on October 1, 2023, marking the start of a new era in the global fight against climate change.
What does this ban mean for other countries, including the US, moving forward? What are the logistical challenges of eliminating single-use plastics? What are the expected long-term consequences? Business leaders need answers to these questions to make the right decisions about their operations.
Overview of the UK single-use plastic ban.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provided an effective summarization of the new single-use plastic ban several months before it took effect. Starting October 2023, enterprises cannot offer or carry single-use plastic items in England. This ban applies to the following items:
• Online and over-the-counter items;
• Items from new and existing stock;