Businesses across Staffordshire are being reminded about rules on the use and supply of single-use plastics which came into force in October 2020.

Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards officers are using the COP26 Climate Change conference this week as an opportunity to remind businesses about their responsibilities.

The ban, which applies to the supply of single use plastic straws, stemmed cotton buds and drink stirrers, was introduced to help reduce the impact on the environment and protect wildlife.

The ban applies to businesses that supply the products, including manufacturers and retailers.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said: "We all know about the harm that throw away plastics can have on the environment, particularly on our wildlife, which is why this ban was introduced.

"Over the last 12 months, our Trading Standards officers have been supporting businesses to make sure they are aware of their new responsibilities and complying with the new laws.

"It's great to see that Staffordshire businesses are doing their bit to help protect the planet.

"Every year in England we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

"By stopping the supply of these items, we can further protect our marine wildlife and move one step closer to our ambition of eliminating all avoidable plastic waste."

The Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020 prohibits the supply of single-use plastic straws to an end user, subject to certain exceptions.

The exceptions include the supply of straws by registered pharmacies, the supply of straws by a catering establishment together with food or drink for immediate consumption and the supply of straws which are medical devices or are for use for medical purposes.

People can report the supply or sale of single use plastics to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.