Petition · past parliament
Introduce a 5p charge on single-use plastic straws.
Closed
3,083 signatures
What the petition asks
The average plastic straw is used for just 20 minutes, but will long out-live its user. The majority of plastic straws are not recycled, often winding up in landfill or in the ocean. Introduce a 5p charge on plastic straws to reduce the UK's plastic waste, for both the environment and the economy.
Almost every piece of plastic ever produced still exists today. Most single-use plastic straws are discarded, often winding up in landfill, or contributing to the 8 million tons of plastic entering the sea every year.
Following the introduction of the 5p charge on plastic carrier bags in England, usage fell by 85% in just 6 months. Millions have been donated to charity as a result of the scheme and millions more have been saved in clean-up costs. We can achieve the same with plastic straws.
Following the introduction of the 5p charge on plastic carrier bags in England, usage fell by 85% in just 6 months. Millions have been donated to charity as a result of the scheme and millions more have been saved in clean-up costs. We can achieve the same with plastic straws.
Timeline
| 20 Feb 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 2 May 2017 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
3,083
Status
Closed
Opened
20 Feb 2017
Closed
2 May 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.