Germany bans range of single-use plastics including straws and cotton buds

Products will be outlawed from next year in step away from 'throw-away culture'

Plastic straws will be banned along with a host of other single-use items (Getty)

Germany is to ban the sale of single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and food containers, bringing it in line with a European Union directive intended to reduce the amount of plastic waste that pollutes the environment.

The Cabinet agreed on Wednesday to end the sale of plastics including single-use cutlery, plates, stirring sticks and balloon holders, as well as polystyrene cups and boxes by 3 July 2021.

Svenja Schulze, the environment minister, said the move was part of an effort to move away from “throw-away culture”.

Up to 20 per cent of rubbish collected in parks and other public places consists of single-use plastic, mainly polystyrene containers.

Plastic takes decades to degrade and microscopic particles have been found inside the bodies of fish, birds and other animals.

Associated Press