Britain is planning to ban the sale of plastic straws and other single-use products, and is urging its Commonwealth allies to do the same.

More specifically, England is banning the sale of plastic straws by 2019.

Other items targeted under the plan include stirrers and cotton buds.

Singapore too

And Singapore, being one of the 53 countries that belongs to the Commonwealth of Nations -- mostly former British colonies -- might be doing the same too.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, PM Lee Hsien Loong is now attending the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London from April 19 to 20.

PM Lee held his first formal meeting with British PM Theresa May.

He will also be having bilateral meetings with other Commonwealth leaders on the sidelines of the meeting.

Tackling marine waste

Through the ban, Britain is planning to tackle marine waste.

May is also hoping to negotiate new trading relations with "third countries" outside of the EU, as Britain will be leaving the European Union (EU) in March next year.

She hopes to deepen relations with the Commonwealth too through such initiatives that aim to fight against marine plastic.

May said:

"Together we can effect real change so that future generations can enjoy a natural environment that is healthier than we currently find it."

Similar initiatives around the world

About 10 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the oceans each year, according to the BBC.

The United Nations (UN) Environment Agency has projected that there could be more plastics in the sea than fish by 2050.

And now, countries around the world are starting to wake up to the danger that plastics pose to our marine life, and possibly even our human health and food safety.

In December last year, almost 200 nations signed a UN resolution to eliminate plastic pollution in the oceans.

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Taiwan

Taiwan is planning a blanket ban on plastic straws in stores and restaurants that will officially begin in 2019 and extend to all dining establishments in 2020.

By 2025, people will have to pay to use plastic straws, bags, cups, and disposable utensils.

Taiwan plans to ultimately phase out all plastics by 2030.

Scotland & some American states

Scotland plans to ban plastic straws by the end of 2019.

Some American states have also banned or limited the use of plastic straws in restaurants.

China

While China has not banned any single-use products, it has recently banned the import of plastic waste from the start of 2018.

Environmentalists have lauded the move, saying that developed countries now not only have to look for ways to increase recycling of plastic, but also produce less plastic.

Top image via Pixabay