Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has welcomed the Environment Secretary's action to reduce plastic waste choking our oceans.
Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic that are easily swallowed by marine life – in cosmetics and personal care products such as toothpastes and shower gels.
Yesterday, Thérèse Coffey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs put the final signature on the law to ban microbeads in the UK, which will come into force on 9 January 2018.
Around eight million tonnes of plastic makes its way into oceans each year, posing a serious threat to our natural and marine environment – experts estimate plastic is ingested by 31 species of marine mammals and over 100 species of sea birds.
Commenting Caroline said:
"I am glad that we are implementing a strategy on waste and resources that looks ahead to opportunities outside the EU.
Many constituents have contacted me about plastic pollutants in the ocean so I am pleased that the Government are taking robust action to reduce plastic waste."
