Britain on Thursday announced plans to ban the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England, as part of a push to tackle global marine pollution.

Prime Minister Theresa May said her government will launch a consultation on banning the single-use items later this year, ahead of legislation on the issue.

The move follows the 2015 introduction of a small charge for carrier bags in most shops, a ban on plastic microbeads and last month's announcement of plans for consumers to pay a deposit on plastic bottles.

"The UK government is a world leader on this issue, and the British public have shown passion and energy embracing our plastic bag charge and microbead ban," May said in a statement.

"Today we have put forward ambitious plans to further reduce plastic waste from straws, stirrers and cotton buds."

She added that Britain is "rallying Commonwealth countries to join us in the fight against marine plastics" by making it central to the agenda at a summit of the group London is hosting this week.

"Together we can effect real change so that future generations can enjoy a natural environment that is healthier than we currently find it," May said.

The government will commit �61.4 million (70 million euros, $87 million) for global research and to improve waste management in developing countries, she added.

A recent study found 8.5 billion plastic straws are thrown away in Britain every year, according to the government.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said this posed "a particular threat to marine wildlife" and the situation was "a worldwide emergency".

"We are going to ban these plastic items," he told the BBC.

The proposed ban is part of a 25-year plan to eliminate avoidable plastic waste, which may include tax incentives.

Related Links
Our Polluted World and Cleaning It Up

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Fresh clashes as anti-capitalists attempt to rebuild French camp
Notre-Dame-Des-Landes, France (AFP) April 15, 2018
Police said hundreds of activists attacked officers on Sunday ahead of a peaceful rally to protest the forced closure of an anti-capitalist camp in western France. A week of clashes erupted on Monday when police launched an eviction operation at Notre-Dames-des-Landes camp, near the city of Nantes, set up 10 years ago to fight plans for a new airport. Officers were attacked by around 300 protestors, some armed with molotov cocktails, who attempted to gain access to rebuild squats at the camp on ... read more