Businesses in South Yorkshire 'preparing' for single-use plastics ban
It's due to come into force this weekend
We're told there's a 'challenging' few months ahead for businesses in South Yorkshire - with a new single-use plastics ban set to come into force next month.
From Sunday, companies won't be able to supply or sell things like plates, bowls, containers, or cutlery.
The Chair of Sheffield Action on Plastic is Greg Hewitt.
He believes it'll be hard at first for local businesses to phase out their existing stock of single-use plastics.
However, he reckons it's a move most are backing:
"I've been speaking to businesses, and they are in favour of the switch away from single-use plastics because of environmental issues.
"It is going to be a great thing for sustainability and moving away from single-use plastics, which will help to reduce plastic pollution.
"I think at first it could be challenging for businesses because many will have an existing stock of these items, and so to just throw those items away is going to be difficult.
"A fine will be the last resort for these businesses; none of us want these businesses to be fined because of this new single-use plastics ban.
"When you see a new ban that comes in, it's always going to be challenging in terms of financial cost for businesses.
"However, as more businesses adapt to using less single-use plastics, we should see a reduction in the wholesale price for plastic-free items.
"We've been using polystyrene and plastic cutlery for many, many years now.
"This has led to a huge amount of plastic being produced in the first place, as well as plastic being dumped and littered, which just ends up as plastic pollution.
"Therefore, we do need these changes as soon as possible."
You can read more about the single-use plastics ban which's coming into force on Sunday below: