Bunzl Catering Supplies release new factsheet as Government announces far-reaching ban on single-use plastics in England.

In line with its ongoing commitment to guide customers through complex Governmental legislation on sustainability, Bunzl Catering Supplies has today released a factsheet that clearly explains the forthcoming ban on single-use plastics in England that comes into effect on 1 October this year.

The 2-page digital factsheet is being sent to customers as part of Bunzl Catering Supplies’ market-leading Sustainable Future programme, and outlines, in a clear and simple format, how the bans will affect operators in the hospitality industry. The factsheet details banned items, and exemptions .

The banned single use plastic items (including bioplastics) are:

• Plates, trays, bowls
• Cutlery
• Balloon sticks
• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and drinks containers

The only exemptions are for single use plastic plates, trays and bowls where Bunzl Catering Supplies or its customers are:

• Supplying them to another business
• Being used as packaging that is pre-filled or filled at the point of sale, like plastic salad containers, sushi trays and cake trays

Previous restrictions on straws, stirrers and cotton buds, have reduced the damage from these plastics. Before the Government banned these products, it was estimated straws, stirrers and cotton buds collectively contributed to around 5.7% of marine litter. After the ban, the Great British Beach Clean 2021 reported cotton bud sticks had moved out of the UK’s top ten most common beach litter items.

Ahead of the ban on single-use plastics in England, Bunzl Catering Supplies and its dedicated sustainability team is working with customers to identify items affected by the ban, implementing suitable, alternative product solutions in time for the October ban. Its innovative Sustainable Future Footprint Tool has allowed the business to work pro-actively with its customers, helping them adopt sustainable product options ahead of planned Government legislation.

For more information please contact us today – or click here.