The British government is about to outlaw specific single-use plastic products, which environmentalists hope will be just the first of many steps taken to reduce pollution.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the prohibition would apply to specific types of polystyrene cups, food containers, balloon sticks, plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, and balloons.
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A spokesperson of the department confirmed to newsmen that the full announcement is coming on Saturday.
According to Environment Secretary Therese Coffey, “A plastic fork can take 200 years to decompose — that is two centuries in landfill or polluting our oceans.”
She added that this new ban would have a huge impact to stop the pollution of billions of pieces of plastic and help to protect the natural environment for future generations.
Story was adapted from NPR.