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Preparing for the UK Single Use Ban

By Deb Richardson, 19th July 2023 | UK Legislation

Hi All,

This is a bit of a change of tone from our usual blog posts as it's a bit more serious than our usual posts, as we talk about the new Plastic Ban ( this is a bit of a confusing terms as it's more a restriction than an outright ban, more later) coming in October, and it's huge impact on how we do things and it's huge effects on you, our customers.

We have created a guide to help, but to sum things up there are a lot of packaging products that are going to be restricted, and items like straws have a number of restrictions placed on them in October 2023 ( why do the UK Government and devolved Administrations hate straws so much).

So what do we think about the plastic ban?

Sadly it is actually worse than we were expecting, and our expectations were admittedly pretty low ,after our products were included in the plastic tax ( it's why we had to increase our prices ), but this actually goes one stage further, as it's another ill conceived solution to the problem of single use plastics, think of it as a solution that not only bans the problem (plastics), but actually bans the solution (plant based packaging).

Sadly all UK Administrations are looking at solving the un-natural problem of single use plastics using a barrier led solution (let's call it the “you mustn't and you can't” approach) - This approach runs counter to a well thought out approach and our approach of fixing the problem and removing barriers.

There is one positive (unlike the delayed Welsh Government version, which we expect to be far more destructive and even more ill thought out), as the UK Government has allowed some alternatives to still be available, with a number of big restrictions.

We are looking forward to the next Government policy where they solve house fires by banning wood and solve drowning by banning water.

So it's all doom and gloom?

Well for The Pure Option it does create a number of challenges that means we have to be more restrictive on who can buy some of our products.

Bowls, plates, trays & cutlery -No difference is noted between plant based and plastics which means that as of October we will no longer be stocking most of these item and they products not stocked will be a made to order items,

UK Orders - We will only be able to sell to UK based business and will no longer be able to sell to the general public and most products will be on a made to order basis ( check the product in October and it will tell you whether it is made to order).

If you have a business and you use a hotmail, gmail account, we may need to verify your business first and should we not be able to confirm you are buying for a business for a business we may need more information or cancel your order.

Non UK Orders - We will be able to export our products without restrictions but a number of our products will now be made to order and may take 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.

2. Straws & stirrers - No difference is noted between plant based and plastics which means that as of October we will no longer be stocking most of these item and they products not stocked will be a made to order items,

Non UK Orders - We will be able to export our products without restrictions but a number of our products will now be made to order and may take 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.

3. Disposable cups - Will be unaffected.

4. Portion & deli containers - Not predicted to change but may change in October.

5. Bags - Not affected.

6. Food Boxes - Not expected to change but may have to be restricted to full boxes and confirmed businesses only.

So those are the major changes but there may be more when it passes into law and is finalised in October, but there is one benefit for our customers as we have created our largest sale we have ever run with the biggest discounts we have ever offered, most of them are actually sold at cost, which means you will be able to get up to 60% off the products affected by the ban.

Buy our reduced range here

What it means for The Pure Option?

There is no way of sugar coating this, we will have to change and these are the key changes that we will be making in October.

UK Customers

Products affected - Straws & Stirrers

Any product in the ban will still be available to our overseas customers on a made to order basis but this does mean we will no longer be holding stock on a large number of products ( from October non stock lines will be clearly identified on the product page) , so lead-times will now be typically two weeks from ordering, we will informing you when the item is dispatched but please allow two weeks for

Products affected - Bowls, Cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers & trays.

Overseas Customers

Products affected - Bowls, Cutlery plates, trays & Straws.