Ban on the supply of single-use plastic straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds (England)
14th October 2020
The Environmental Protection Regulations (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 October 2020. It bans the supply of plastic straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds to customers in England, after a transitional period unless exemptions apply. The ban applies to all businesses supplying these products, including manufacturers and retailers, such as community pharmacies, and has been introduced as a measure to reduce single-use plastic waste in order to protect the environment and marine wildlife.
What does this mean for community pharmacies?
After 1 October 2020, the following exemptions apply for community pharmacies to allow supply of single-use plastic straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds.
The exemptions that apply to community pharmacies are:
- Registered pharmacies exemption
Community pharmacies (including distance selling pharmacies) can supply these at the premises or online, as long as the below criteria are met:
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- Must not be advertised on the pharmacy premises; however, if a pharmacy has an online presence the product can be displayed on the website
- Must not be visually placed or freely accessible to customers
- Must not be offered or provided unless requested by a customer
- Medical devices and purposes exemption
Community pharmacies can these if it is being used by a health professional, or under the direction of a health professional, for medical purposes, or if they are defined as a relevant device
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- A health professional includes a registered pharmacist or registered pharmacy technician
- A relevant device, is defined in Regulation 3 of The Environmental Protection Regulations (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020, and Regulation 2 of The Medical Devices Regulations 2002
- Exemptions for forensic or scientific purposes
Community pharmacies can supply these to a forensic service provider, or for scientific purposes (diagnostic, educational or research purposes)
Transitional period for businesses, including community pharmacies
- Until 1 April 2021: Single-use plastic straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds can be supplied/sold to customers if they were purchased by the community pharmacy before 1 October 2020, therefore, the exemptions do not apply
- Until 3 July 2021: Single-use plastic straws attached to drinks packaging can be supplied/sold, therefore, the exemptions do not apply
Please note the following:
- The ban on the supply of single-use plastic straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds applies to end-users, pharmacies can continue to supply businesses requesting these products
- Single-use straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds made from other material or reusable alternatives can still be sold – some paper straws use adhesives containing plastic within the inner lining which are considered an acceptable alternative to plastic drinking straws
- Community pharmacies may receive inspections from their local authority and fines may be imposed if found in breach of the regulations.
FAQS
- Can I supply nutritional drinks which come with an attached straw, for example, Ensure plus liquid?
Yes, nutritional drinks which come with an attached single-use plastic straw can still be supplied to customers, if they are supplied as products with a medical purpose, and under the direction of a registered pharmacist or registered pharmacy technician.. This supply can be made beyond 3 July 2021.
- I have existing stock of single-use plastic straws and plastic stemmed cotton buds; do I have to dispose of them now that these products are banned from supply to customers?
Products obtained prior to 1 October 2020 can be supplied to end-users until 1 April 2021; however, after this date, they can be supplied only to other businesses, or under the specific exemptions which apply to community pharmacies.
Further reading:
Please contact the Pharmacy Services team for further advice and support:
- Telephone: 01727891800 (Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat 9am to 1pm)
- Email: pharmacyservices@npa.co.uk