MyWaste.ie is urging consumers and businesses to ‘say no’ to banned Single Use Plastics.
Consumers and Businesses Urged to ‘Say No’ to Banned Single Use Plastics
It comes as new research based on a study of over 1,000 consumers and 713 businesses reveals that:
- Almost half (44%) of all businesses in Ireland are unaware that certain Single Use Plastics are now banned.
- 45% of businesses report they are still offering at least one of the banned items to consumers for sale or use.
- 50% of consumers say they often receive single-use plastics with take-away orders that they have not asked for.
- Almost a third (32%) of adults claim to have seen plastic cutlery on sale or available for use in the past month, with a similar percentage claiming to have seen plastic cotton bud sticks (31%), and plastic straws (30%).
- 29% of people say they believe Takeaways and Restaurants generate the most single use plastics, significantly ahead of all other types of industries, with party shops (19%) ahead of supermarkets (16%).
Single-use plastic products are usually used once, before being thrown away. In July 2021, an EU Directive became law making it illegal for wholesalers or anyone else to put oxo-degradable plastic items and nine further, specific single use plastic items on the market in Ireland.
The ten prohibited plastics are:
- Cotton Bud Sticks
- Cutlery (knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks)
- Plates
- Stirrers
- Balloon sticks
- Straws
- Expanded polystyrene single use beverage containers
- Expanded polystyrene single use cups
- Expanded Polystyrene single use food containers
- Oxo-degradable (which is typically used for soft plastic products such as waste bags, dry-cleaning bags and types of wrapping).
“Single Use plastics can take hundreds of years to degrade. They end up in landfills, waterways, and oceans, where they harm wildlife and pollute our environment,” said Will Mitchell, spokesperson for MyWaste.ie. “While many countries including Ireland have taken steps to ban or reduce the use of single use plastics, what our research found is that banned single use plastics continue to be a problem in Ireland. That's why MyWaste.ie is calling on consumers and businesses alike to say no to illegal single use plastics and help create a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations,” he added.
“Businesses can act by not stocking or purchasing these prohibited items, and instead offering reusable or non-plastic alternatives,” Mr. Mitchell continued. “What’s positive to see is that our research found 84% of businesses are now offering non-plastic alternative items for sale or use, while 84% of consumers said they are making a conscious effort to avoid using single use plastics. By saying no to single-use plastics and opting for reusable or non-plastic alternatives, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint and protect our planet. It’s important to remember that even plastic cutlery that says ‘reusable’ is very unlikely to be reused and may not be recyclable. With increased awareness and education, we can work towards a more sustainable future,” he added.
For more information and tips on how to reduce your use of plastic, please visit https://www.mywaste.ie/single-use-plastics
