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Plastic Ban 2023 Introduction

Last month the government gave us the news that a number of Single use plastic items will be banned from distribution in October 2023. The ban was put forward by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, and they said that 95% of people responded in favour of the ban. The goal of the ban is to further reduce the plastic pollution in the UK. That's all well and good in theory, but what are the real implications of this ban? And more importantly, how will it affect your business? Our aim is to help separate the facts from fiction and shine a brighter light on where this new ban will lead us and try and bring some clarity.

What Does It Mean?

The new plastic ban means that businesses up and down the country will have to change their approach to how they serve food and beverages, with many packaging mainstays in the take-out industry coming under fire for being environmentally unfriendly. This potentially could include plastic plates, trays and bowls along with most polystyrene containers and cups. (This ban does not apply to plates, trays and bowls in shelf-ready pre-packaged food.)

It now means that companies will be having to switch to alternative packaging solutions, which are more eco-friendly and have higher recyclability. This could for example include product such as paper or wooden cutlery, bagasse and cardboard containers and much more.

Man confused about the plastic ban

Product Categories under consideration to be Banned

  • Plastic plates
  • Plastic bowls
  • Plastic trays
  • Plastic cutlery
  • Balloon sticks
  • Polystyrene Cups
  • Polystyrene food containers

How Are Businesses Affected?

Businesses have been used to paying low prices for single use items, as they are low cost to manufacture. With the new ban taking place, the prices people pay for packaging will be increasing. Eco-friendly ranges are continually evolving, with manufacturers exploring new ways to bring down the production costs, but there is still a way to go. To find alternate solutions with the same practicality at lower price points is difficult, but we have already started offering our customers eco-friendly solutions.

Our Plastic Alternatives

5x3" Small Kraft Open Tray | Select Catering Solutions Ltd
We have plenty in stock
5x3" Small Kraft Open Tray
Order Code: CB111
This paperboard tray is suitable for many different kinds of snacks and finger foods such as burgers, French fries, chicken nuggets, nachos, potato wedges, etc. In addition its simple product presentation, this tray is an ideal container for holding food. The small kraft tray is part of our hot food to go range. It has a very minimised environmental impact. The recycled paperboard material is not only fully recyclable, but also commercially compostable in 16 weeks. This packaging is great for fast food outlets, catering companies, sandwich shops, canteens, cinemas, leisure outlets, and coffee shops.

Pack of 500

£41.80 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock
20cm Palm Leaf Plate
We have plenty in stock
Palm Leaf Round Plate 20cm Qty 100
Order Code: PL005

A strong and rigid plate made from discarded Adaka nut palm leaves

A strong and rigid palm leaf round plate measuring 20cm across, and 2.6cm in depth, this plate is made from the discarded leaves from the Adaka nut palm tree. These are then cleaned and moulded into their shape by at 120°c. A great feature of this product is that not only is it water and oil resistant, but also heat resistant up to 220°c. This means its a great plate to feature hot and cold food on. As we all look to become more eco-friendly, this natural product has a positive environmental impact and is great for your business as a result. This natural product is commercially compostable after use.

Pack of 100

£37.16 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock
9x6" Bagasse Hinged Box Qty 250 | Select Catering Solutions Ltd
Sorry, we are out of stock
9x6" Bagasse Hinged Box Qty 250
Order Code: TP47

Made from bagasse - an alternative to polystyrene

This 9" x 6" bagasse hinged box is an eco-friendly alternative to your standard polystyrene takeaway box. These food containers are made from all natural material, meaning your food won't sweat inside the box.

Pack of 250

£39.54 excl. VAT
Sorry, we are out of stock
9.5cm Wooden Ice Cream Spoons
Just back in stock
Eco-Friendly 9.5cm Wooden Ice Cream Spoons
Order Code: DC034
9.5cm wood ice cream spoon is made from sustainably sourced FSC™ 100% certified birchwood. These disposable ice cream spoons are compostable and are a more eco-friendly alternative to plastic ice cream spoons.This disposable wooden cutlery is compostable in a home compost and commercial compost.This wooden cutlery will biodegrade and will not pollute or damage the environment.

Pack of 2000

£57.52 excl. VAT
Just back in stock
4 in 1 Wrapped Compostable Wooden Cutlery
We have plenty in stock
4 in 1 Wrapped Compostable Wooden Cutlery
Order Code: DC064

Start reducing your carbon footprint with these compostable cutlery packs

16cm knife, fork & napkin coated wood cutlery set is made from sustainably sourced FSC™ 100% certified birchwood. Coated with a food safe, non-toxic, compostable plant-based carnauba wax. These beautifully crafted birchwood cutlery sets are a stylish, affordable, eco-friendly cutlery choice for your next picnic, office or dinner party, special event, wedding, or your cafe or restaurant!Compostable in home compost and commercial compost.Biodegrade and will not pollute or damage the environment.

Pack of 250

£48.10 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock
8x6" 3lb Kraft Ecocraft Food Tray Qty 500 | Select Catering Solutions Ltd
We have plenty in stock
8x6" 3lb Kraft Ecocraft Food Tray Qty 500
Order Code: EC002

Suitable for hot or cold food

3lb Brown Food Trays by Ecocraft (large kraft food tray). Made from kraft unbleached paper with a moisture and grease proof barrier for superior performance. The 3lb large kraft food tray has dimensions of 213 mm long x 150 mm wide x 54 mm deep. These card food trays are ideal for take aways, fast foods, and street foods. These trays are recyclable but not compostable or biodegradable, this is due to their plastic based coating.

Pack of 500

£64.60 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock
Palm Leaf Rectangle Plate 25x17cm | Select Catering Solutions Ltd
We have plenty in stock
Palm Leaf Rectangle Plate 25x17cm
Order Code: PL002

Width: 170mm Length: 250mm Height: 10mm approx

Colour: Natural / Palm Leaf Material: Palm Leaf Case Quantity: 100 Dimensions: Width: 170mm Length: 250mm Height: 10mm approxThis natural product is commercially compostable after use.

Pack of 100

£39.90 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock
8" Bagasse 3 Compartment Meal Box Qty 200 | Select Catering Solutions Ltd
We have plenty in stock
8" Bagasse 3 Compartment Meal Box Qty 200
Order Code: TP53

Suitable for hot, wet and oily foods

Our 8" 3 Compartment bagasse hinged box is an eco-friendly alternative to your standard polystyrene takeaway box. These food containers are made from all natural material, meaning your food won't sweat inside the box

Pack of 200

£47.70 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock
Eco-Friendly 7.5" Wooden Stirrers
We have plenty in stock
Eco-Friendly 7.5" Wooden Stirrers
Order Code: DC004A
Wooden stirrers are lightweight, yet offer strength when it matters. Useful for serving with takeaway drinks allowing customers to stir sugar, milk or other products within their drink. This is a natural wood product and is compostable.

Pack of 1000

£3.50 excl. VAT
We have plenty in stock

Plastic Ban context

Along with the costs of upgrading to sustainable cutlery and plates, there is still a growing concern over other plastics being used in the catering space which still contribute to the growing problems. The anti-plastic campaign group ‘A Plastic Planet’, has noted that the plastic sachet should be the next target, as over 855 billion sachets are used annually across the world. They went on to say that creating a solution for the sachet crisis will provide more innovation and opportunity in the packing market.

There are also the detractors who argue that changing from Single use plastic to wood and paper alternatives will bear no impact so long as people ignore recycling regulations, as cutlery and plates will still end up in landfill sites and into the ocean. Recycling only works when consumers follow guidelines, and the lack of education in this sector is telling when you see how much packaging ends up in treatment centres but cannot be reused or recycled.

Current advice is to follow UK government guidelines on recycling and implementing more eco-friendly practices into your business as soon as possible. With a transition into the new eco-friendly landscape, you can adjust to new pricing models, and do your bit to protect the planet.

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Select Catering Solutions Ltd
Unit A1, Airfield Business Park
Market Harborough
United Kingdom LE16 7UL

01858 469006

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