Reduce single use plastics​

The growth of the takeaway and delivery economy for food and other goods has led to immense amounts of single-use packaging, cups, food containers and other items being disposed of.  

Regulations from 2020 and 2023 seek to prohibit the supply of single use plastic items through the food and drink market. 

A guide to the legislation and the requirements placed on business

Please consider where you use plastic in your business and think how you can make simple changes.  

You may find you not only help the environment, but save money too. Here are some examples:  

• stop offering straws - if you must offer them, compostable ones are available
• buy vegetables and fruit that are loose and not wrapped in plastic
• avoid the use of plastic film
• offer takeaway food in paper bags, rather than plastic
• use compostable takeaway containers
• use wood or bamboo rather than plastic spoons, forks and knives
• sell drinks in glass rather than plastic bottles
• refill the customer’s own drinking cup
• stop adding recyclable waste to your general waste. Make sure you recycle all the waste that you can
• recycle clean items by rinsing them and removing as much food as you can
• give one, rather than a handful of napkins

The good news is that reusable options are already well developed and widely available in the food sector.  For more information please see:  

Love food hate waste
Guide to reducing single use plastics