The UK is not required to bring the EU Single Use Plastics Directive into UK law, but the UK is choosing a similar path to our European neighbors.
| Policy | England | Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
| Ban single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws & stirrers (including CPLA cutlery & PLA straws) | Yes, from October 2023 | Yes, from October 2023 | Yes, since 12 Aug 2022 | Yes since 2022 |
| Ban expanded polystyrene food containers & cups | Yes, from October 2023 (inc foamed extruded PS) | Yes, from October 2023 | Yes, since 1 June 2022 (inc lids) | Yes since 2022 |
| Ban all oxo-degradable plastics | No | Yes, from 2024 | No | Yes since 2022 |
| Ban *all* polystyrene lids for cups or takeaway food containers | No | Yes, from 2024 | No | No |
New legislation will ban the supply of single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups, in England from October 2023.
