Sinn Féin MLA has launched a bill to ban single use plastics in Northern Ireland.

North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan said: "This legislation would be a positive step towards a healthier, cleaner, greener Ireland, both on the island and in our waters.

-- Advertisement --

"Every year eight million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in our seas and unless we act now, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

"Plastic pollution is causing serious harm to our marine wildlife who ingest or become entangled in plastics.

"We need legislation to change that and that’s why I'm bringing forward this bill."