Plastic straws and cotton buds could be banned in England as part of the government’s bid to cut plastic waste.
Ministers pointed to one estimate that 8.5 billion plastic straws were thrown away in the UK every year.
Mrs May claimed the UK was a “world leader” on tackling plastic waste, highlighting the charges that have been introduced for plastic bags, the ban on microbeads and the announcement in March of a consultation on introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England.
“Alongside our domestic action, this week we are rallying Commonwealth countries to join us in the fight against marine plastics,” she said. “The Commonwealth is a unique organisation, with a huge diversity of wildlife, natural worlds and coastlines. “Together we can effect real change so that future generations can enjoy the natural world that is healthier than we currently find it.”
