(CNN) Plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds will be banned in England from April 2020 as part of plans designed to drastically reduce plastic waste.

The UK government confirmed the ban Wednesday after an open consultation with the public, according to a statement from environment officials.

Officials estimate that 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds are used in England each year, with 10% of cotton buds disposed of down the toilet.

"Urgent and decisive action is needed to tackle plastic pollution and protect our environment," said Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

The move is designed to cut plastic waste.

"These items are often used for just a few minutes but take hundreds of years to break down, ending up in our seas and oceans and harming precious marine life."

Read More