Single-Use Plastic Ban in England: What Caterers Can Still Use
Quick answer
Since 1 October 2023, businesses in England cannot supply single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, drinks stirrers or expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drink containers. Single-use plastic plates, bowls and trays are restricted, with exemptions such as items filled at the point of sale. Compostable and biodegradable plastics are included.
Key takeaways
- Single-use plastic cutlery is banned outright in England, with no exemptions.
- Foamed polystyrene takeaway boxes and cups for ready-to-eat food are banned.
- Plastic plates, bowls and trays are restricted, but exempt when filled at the point of sale or used as packaging.
- "Compostable" or "biodegradable" plastic and plastic-lined paper are still plastic under the rules.
What is banned in England?
The rules come from the Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc. and Polystyrene Containers etc.) (England) Regulations 2023. They apply to supplying items in person and online, including from existing stock.
| Item | Rule since 1 October 2023 |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks) | Banned. No exemptions |
| Single-use plastic balloon sticks | Banned. No exemptions |
| Expanded or extruded polystyrene food and drink containers and cups | Banned for food and drink ready to consume |
| Single-use plastic plates, bowls and trays | Restricted, with exemptions |
| Plastic drinks stirrers | Banned (since 2020) |
| Plastic straws and cotton buds | Restricted (since 2020) |
What counts as “single-use plastic”?
This catches out many businesses. Under GOV.UK guidance the rules cover: – All plastic types, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled plastic. – Items partly made of plastic, such as paper or card plates with a plastic coating or lining.
An item is single-use if it is not designed or intended to be reused. You cannot relabel an unchanged single-use product as reusable. A reusable product is one that can be used safely and easily many times for its original purpose.
Exemptions for plates, bowls and trays
Single-use plastic plates, bowls and trays can still be supplied when they are: – Supplied to another business, or – Packaging, pre-filled, or filled at the point of sale.
GOV.UK gives examples: a pre-filled salad bowl, a ready meal in a tray, a salad bowl filled by a customer in store, a plate filled at a takeaway counter, and a tray used to deliver food.
There are no exemptions for cutlery. A takeaway can still serve food in an exempt plastic tray, but it cannot hand out single-use plastic forks with it.
Which polystyrene is banned?
Only foamed polystyrene is in scope: expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS), the light foam used for clamshells and cups. The ban covers food and drink containers for food that is ready to eat without further preparation, such as takeaway boxes. Polystyrene boxes used to move unprepared food, such as fish boxes, are not banned.
Who enforces it, and what are the fines?
Local authorities enforce the rules. Officers can inspect premises, make test purchases, speak to staff and ask to see records. Breaking the rules can lead to a fine and an order to pay the cost of the investigation. GOV.UK does not publish a fixed fine amount. Fines can be appealed within 28 days, and an appeal is more likely to succeed if you can show you did everything you could to comply.
Does the ban cover all of the UK?
This guide covers England. Scotland’s ban began in June 2022, Wales has its own rules, and Northern Ireland has separate arrangements. If you trade across the UK, check each nation’s guidance.
What can caterers use instead?
Open full size| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic cutlery | Wooden cutlery, or plastic cutlery genuinely designed for repeated use |
| Polystyrene clamshells and burger boxes | Bagasse clamshell and burger boxes |
| Single-use plastic plates and bowls | Bagasse or paper plates and bowls |
| Polystyrene cups | Paper cups |
| Plastic-lined paper plates for eat-in food | Uncoated paper plates or bagasse plates |
Wooden cutlery
Birch wooden cutlery is the most common replacement for takeaways, food trucks and events. Ours is 16cm long, smooth and sturdy enough for chips, salads and desserts. Sets combine forks, knives and spoons so you only stock one item.
Reusable plastic cutlery
The ban covers single-use cutlery. Cutlery that is genuinely designed, sold and used for many rounds of washing is treated differently. Our black and clear plastic cutlery is reusable and dishwasher safe, made for repeated use in canteens, offices, event hire and homes. Do not hand reusable cutlery out with takeaway orders as a throwaway item.
Bagasse boxes, plates and bowls
Bagasse replaces polystyrene foam well. It holds hot, greasy food, does not go soggy quickly and is microwave safe. Our bagasse burger and clamshell boxes cover burgers, fries and full meals.
How to switch without disrupting service
- List every plastic item you hand out, including cutlery in delivery bags.
- Order free samples of the alternatives and test them with your hottest, heaviest dish.
- Run down old stock? No. Supplying banned items from existing stock is also not allowed.
- Update your delivery app settings so cutlery is only added on request.
- Brief staff on what changed and what to say if customers ask.
We send free samples of 5 to 10 pieces. You only pay a small delivery charge. Request free samples.
Common mistakes
- Switching to “compostable plastic” forks. They are still single-use plastic under the rules.
- Using plastic-coated paper plates for eat-in food without checking the exemption.
- Calling single-use cutlery reusable. Relabelling does not change the rules.
- Forgetting cutlery in delivery orders. The ban covers online supply too.
Products in this guide
Prices include VAT, with free UK mainland delivery and no minimum order.
Wooden Cutlery Set – 300 Pieces (100 Forks, Knives & Spoons)£7.99 inc VATView pack sizes
Wooden Forks 16cmFrom £5.29 inc VATView pack sizes
Black Reusable Cutlery Set – 150 Pieces (50 Forks, Knives & Spoons)£7.99 inc VATView pack sizes
6 x 6 Inch Bagasse Burger BoxesFrom £9.49 inc VATView pack sizes
9 Inch White Bagasse PlatesFrom £7.90 inc VATView pack sizes
8oz (240ml) White Paper CupsFrom £7.99 inc VATView pack sizesFrequently asked questions
Is plastic cutlery banned in England?
Single-use plastic cutlery has been banned in England since 1 October 2023, with no exemptions. Cutlery genuinely designed and used for repeated washing is not single-use cutlery.
Are compostable plastic forks allowed?
No. GOV.UK guidance says the rules cover all single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled plastic. Wooden cutlery or genuinely reusable cutlery are the compliant options.
Are plastic takeaway containers banned?
Not all of them. The ban covers foamed polystyrene containers for ready-to-eat food. Other plastic containers and trays used as packaging or filled at the point of sale remain allowed.
Can I use up my old stock of plastic cutlery?
No. The ban applies to supplying items from new and existing stock, so remaining single-use plastic cutlery cannot be given to customers in England.
Are paper plates allowed under the ban?
Yes, if they contain no plastic. Paper plates with a plastic coating or lining count as partly plastic, so they fall under the restriction unless an exemption applies.
Who checks that businesses follow the plastics ban?
Local authorities, usually Trading Standards officers. They can visit premises, make test purchases and request records, and they can issue fines for breaches.
Does the ban apply to online sales and deliveries?
Yes. The rules cover supplying items in person and online, so single-use plastic cutlery cannot be added to delivery or click-and-collect orders.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Single-use plastics ban – plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks
- GOV.UK: New bans and restrictions on polluting single-use plastics come into force
- legislation.gov.uk: The Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc. and Polystyrene Containers etc.) (England) Regulations 2023
Checked on 12 November 2026. Rules change, so always check the latest official guidance.
About ASK Packaging
ASK Packaging Ltd supplies plates, bowls, food containers, bags, cups, napkins and cutlery to cafés, takeaways, caterers and event hosts across the UK. We are based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and have been trading since 2018. Our guides are written from the questions our customers ask us every day.
