March café fears plastics ban could mean tough time for businesses
The ban on single use plastics comes into force from today
A café in Cambridgeshire says other businesses may find it tough to adapt to a new ban on single use plastics which comes into force from today.
The government ban means businesses in England won't be allowed to supply, sell or offer certain items including plastic plates, cutlery, trays, expanded and extruded polystyrene containers.
It's part of plans to cut down on the amount of plastic waste and littering in the country.
Nicola Sewell runs Nala coffee shop in March:
"Plastic cutlery's terrible, so having wooden cutlery is better quality and customers come back because it's not plastic that's going to smash into hundreds of bits," she said.
"I think cardboard cups, for example, people are more likely to recycle that and a lot of people take their food home, so (the litter) will go into their recycle bin.
"I don't like getting a polystyrene box in my hand; I'd rather have cardboard and if you're a takeaway and heading that way, I'll be your customer."
What else does the ban cover?
'Single use' plastic means items that can only be used once for its original purpose.
The ban covers online and over-the-counter sales and supply, all types of single use plastic such as biodegradable and compostable items, and items from new and existing stock.
Plastic packaging, such as a ready meal on a tray, is exempt although the item must be pre-filled or filled at the point of sale.
Packaging for plates, bowls and trays will still be allowed.
Research shows people across England use 2.7 billion items of mostly plastic single-use cutlery and 721 million single-use plates every year, but only 10% of these are recycled.
The government says inspections on businesses will be carried out, and any firm that's found to be breaking the rules could be forced to pay investigation costs and fines.
"This new ban is the next big step in our mission to crack down on harmful plastic waste," environment minister Rebecca Pow said.
"It will protect the environment and help to cut litter – stopping plastic pollution dirtying our streets and threatening our wildlife."
"I think the price increase is going to hit hard"
Nicola, who's been running Nala for three years, has been using compostable cardboard takeaway boxes, wooden cutlery and cardboard cups as some measures to help go plastic-free.
She hopes other businesses will follow suit.
"I think every bit a takeaway, coffee shop or anywhere can do, it doesn't need to be plastic, plastic, plastic all the time and it doesn't cost a great deal more," Nicola added.
"I've already absorbed the price, but I think for other people it's going to hit them quite hard and the price increase from polystyrene to cardboard might be quite a hike for them."