The first phase of the Welsh Government single use plastic ban is now in place

15 November 2023

In December 2022, Wales made history by becoming the first part of the UK to legislate against a thorough list of single-use plastics when the Senedd approved legislation to ban selling unnecessary, disposable products to consumers.

This came into effect on Monday, October 30 when the following items were banned from being sold across the country:

• Single-use plastic plates
• Single-use plastic cutlery
• Single-use plastic drinks stirrers  
• Cups made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene.
• Takeaway food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene
• Single-use plastic balloon sticks
• Single-use plastic-stemmed Cotton buds
• Single-use plastic drinking straws 

The new law is a key step in reducing the flow of damaging plastic waste into the Welsh environment and is being introduced following consultation with the public and other stakeholders.

It will give local authorities the power to enforce the offence of supplying or offering to supply the commonly littered items – even when they are free.

The second phase of the ban, expected to be introduced by Spring 2026, will include plastic single-use carrier bags, polystyrene lids for cups and food containers and products made of oxo-degradable plastic.