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Italy islands ban single-use plastic being used – with tourists facing huge fines

Italian islands have chosen to ban all use of single-use plastic to protect the beautiful islands.

This will include plates, cups and forks that are prohibited from being used.

Plastic bottles are not included in this yet, but there are hopes to change these to glass bottles in the future.

The change comes after alarming amounts of plastic particles were found in the waters around the area.

Being so close to a protected marine reserve near Puglia, the mayor has since decided to make the change.

Antonio Fentini told La Repubblica why he decided to issue the new law, which comes into place today (May 1).

He explained: “Day after day we’re seeing humans kill our sea and we had to do something, immediately.

“I’m calling on the mayors of all islands and coastal areas to follow suit. Let’s all try to do some good for our planet.”

Those who break the new laws could face a very steep fine, be it tourists or businesses.

The fines will range from €50 to €500 to encourage people to use reusable containers.

Polystyrene containers that are used for taking away food could be next to be banned.

A recent Greenpeace investigation revealed that 2.2 pieces of plastic were found per metre cubed of water around the Italian islands.

Plastic bags and bottles are the main culprits of this and it was much higher than the average found around Italy.

The average is 0.52 per metre cubed of water, and the shocking figures have since instigated the change.

Many other tourist boards and companies have recently attempted to curb their use of plastic amid a growing concern for the oceans.

UK companies have been banned from using a number of products such as plastic stirrers, straws and plastic cotton wool buds.

Cruise company Hurtigruten has pledged to abolish all single-use plastic by July, whilst P&O, Cunard and Royal Caribbean pledge to abolish it by 2022.

Heathrow Airport is hoping to end single-use coffee cups by the end of the year as well as discussing how to remove other items as well.

The recent push to end plastic use came after David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II inspired UK citizens to make the changes.

British shoppers admitted they would be happy to spend more than £200 a year extra if it meant reducing waste.

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