Australian Capital Territory single-use plastics bans
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) banned plastic cutlery, stirrers and polystyrene foam food containers from 1 July 2021, adding straws, cotton buds and oxo-degradable…
Bathroom and cosmetics
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Japan mandatory plastic bag charge and Plastic Resource Circulation Act
Japan made retailers charge for plastic shopping bags from July 2020 and, from April 2022, requires businesses to reduce twelve single-use plastic items.
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Queensland single-use plastics bans
Queensland banned straws, cutlery, plates, stirrers and polystyrene foam food ware from 1 September 2021, adding cotton buds, microbeads, heavyweight bags and balloon releases…
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New South Wales single-use plastics bans
New South Wales (NSW) banned lightweight bags on 1 June 2022 and straws, cutlery, plates, stirrers, cotton buds, polystyrene foam food ware and microbeads…
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South Australia single-use plastics bans
South Australia was the first Australian state to ban single-use plastics, from 1 March 2021, and has since extended the list in annual tranches…
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UK ban on wet wipes containing plastic
All four UK nations will ban the supply of plastic-containing wet wipes, starting with Wales on 18 December 2026, then Northern Ireland and England…
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UK single-use plastics bans (plates, cutlery, polystyrene foam, straws, microbeads)
England banned plastic plates, cutlery, balloon sticks and polystyrene foam cups and containers from October 2023, following straws, stirrers and cotton buds in 2020…
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EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (2025/40)
Binding EU rules requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, with bans on single-use plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables, for eating…
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EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (2019/904)
Bans plastic cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, cotton buds and expanded polystyrene (foam) food containers across the EU. Bottle caps must stay attached, and bottles…
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Washable cloths instead of wet wipes
About 31 billion wet wipes were sold in the UK in 2021, and a quarter to a half contained plastic; the UK is banning…