The government is pushing ahead with plans to ban single-use plastic items including cutlery, plates and trays.
Environment secretary Thérèse Coffey said she was determined to “drive forward” action to tackle the impact of plastic pollution.
However, the ban will not apply to items used as packaging for takeaway food and drink in supermarkets and shops, with ministers saying they would look at other measures for the sector.
The move follows a long consultation by Defra, which is due to publish the final details later this week.
Government figures claim 1.1 billion single-use plates and more than four billion pieces of plastic cutlery are used in England every year.
Similar bans have already been made in Scotland and Wales, while single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds were already banned in England in 2020.
Coffey said: “I am determined to drive forward action to tackle this issue head on. We’ve already taken major steps in recent years, but we know there is more to do, and we have again listened to the public’s calls.
“This new ban will have a huge impact to stop the pollution of billions of pieces of plastics and help to protect the natural environment for future generations.”
Environmental campaigners said the moves did not go far enough.
“Whilst it’s welcome that the government’s finally banned certain items, we’re dealing with a plastic flood, and this is like reaching for a mop instead of turning off the tap,” said Greenpeace UK political campaigner Megan Randles.
“We need the government to deliver a meaningful plastic reduction strategy, which means bringing in plastic reduction targets and a proper reuse and refill scheme.
“It’s time to stop pandering to industry lobbyists; stop promoting false solutions; and stop dumping our plastic waste in countries that have done the least to cause the climate crisis. Anything else is not global leadership on plastic.”
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