Mubasher: The United Kingdom government revealed on Thursday its plans to impose a ban on the sale of plastic straws and drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

The British government is discussing a proposal, and it has called upon Commonwealth countries to join the fight against marine plastics, with GBP 61.4 million ($87.1 million) funding for global research and to improve waste management in developing countries, said Prime Minister Theresa May at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.

The government would cooperate with the industry sector to develop plastic alternatives, while ensuring enough time for adapting to changes. 

"Single-use plastics are a scourge on our seas and lethal to our precious environment and wildlife so it is vital we act now," Environment Secretary Michael Gove said.

After banning harmful microbeads curbing plastic bag use, Gove expressed the government’s will to take action regarding straws, stirrers and cotton buds, for the sake of marine life.

Many organisations will take action pertaining the production of plastic waste, making commitments to eliminate plastic product use. This marks a widely changing shift in UK society.

According to the European Commission, less than 30% of 25 million tons of plastic waste produced annually by Europe, is collected to be recycled.