23 Oct 2018 --- The UK Government has set out its plan to ban the distribution and sale of plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds in a bid to protect the natural environment. The plan is subject to a consultation launched by Environment Secretary Michael Gove which will run from October 22 to December 03. The UK Government estimates that annually the country uses 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds. An estimated 10 percent of cotton buds are flushed down toilets and can end up in waterways and oceans.
