Theresa May hugs environment by banning plastic micro beads in UK

London, January 9: Theresa May was happy to announce while putting a ban on plastic microbeads making the environment cleaner. A ban on the manufacture of certain products containing plastic microbeads has entered into force, although MPs and green groups have reiterated that more action is needed to tackle the global problem of plastic waste.

Environment Minister Therese Coffey heralded the ban as a "world-leading" move and an "important milestone" in the battle to reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans.

"Microbeads are entirely unnecessary when there are so many natural alternatives available," she said. "The world's seas and oceans are some of our most valuable natural assets and I am determined we act now to tackle the plastic that devastates our precious marine life."

 

Her comments came just days after Prime Minister Theresa May promised more action on tackling marine plastic pollution would be forthcoming from the government. "We want to do the same in relation to single-use plastic," she told. "Nobody who watched Blue Planet will doubt the need for us to do something" she added.

It is unclear whether the ban will extend to imports of products containing microplastics in the coming six months. Just over half of all products in the UK cosmetics market are imported, according to the CTPA or UK Cosmetic Trade Association.