The government has confirmed a ban on plastic straws, drinks stirrers and plastic stemmed cotton buds in England, following overwhelming public support for the move.

A ban on plastic microbeads in ‘rinse-off’ personal care products came into force in Wales on Saturday.

The first study of its kind has found that microplastics from urban river channels are a major contributor to the pollution problem in the oceans – a site on the River Tame at Denton has shown the highest levels so far recorded anywhere in the world.

The Government has set out the next steps for its proposed ban on the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products with the publication of a summary of responses to a consultation earlier in the year on the issue. 

The UK Government has announced plans to ban the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products containing tiny pieces of plastic, commonly known as ‘microbeads’.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has demanded that cosmetic companies should be banned from using plastic microbeads in bathroom products - like exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste and shaving gel - because of the marine pollution they are causing.