European Commission targets 10 single-use plastic products in move against marine litter
With the amount of harmful plastic litter in oceans and seas growing ever greater, the European Commission said on May 28 that it is proposing new EU-wide rules to target the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe’s beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.
Together these constitute 70 per cent of all marine litter items.
Among the steps proposed is that 2here alternatives are readily available and affordable, single-use plastic products – plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and sticks for balloons – will be banned from the market.
These items will all have to be made exclusively from more sustainable materials instead. Single-use drinks containers made with plastic will only be allowed on the market if their caps and lids remain attached.
“The new rules are proportionate and tailored to get the best results,” the European Commission said.
“This means different measures will be applied to different products.”
For products without straightforward alternatives, the focus is on limiting their use through a national reduction in consumption; design and labelling requirements and waste management/clean-up obligations for producers.
“Together, the new rules will put Europe ahead of the curve on an issue with global implications,” the Commission said.
Across the world, plastics make up 85 per cent of marine litter, the Commission said.
“And plastics are even reaching people’s lungs and dinner tables, with micro-plastics in the air, water and food having an unknown impact on their health. Tackling the plastics problem is a must and it can bring new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and job creation.”
Companies will be given a competitive edge: having one set of rules for the whole EU market will create a springboard for European companies to develop economies of scale and be more competitive in the booming global marketplace for sustainable products, according to the statement.
“By setting up re-use systems (such as deposit refund schemes), companies can ensure a stable supply of high quality material. In other cases, the incentive to look for more sustainable solutions can give companies the technological lead over global competitors.”
EU countries will have to reduce the use of plastic food containers and drinks cups. They can do so by setting national reduction targets, making alternative products available at the point of sale, or ensuring that single-use plastic products cannot be provided free of charge.
Obligations for producers: Producers will help cover the costs of waste management and clean-up, as well as awareness raising measures for food containers, packets and wrappers (such as for crisps and sweets), drinks containers and cups, tobacco products with filters (such as cigarette butts), wet wipes, balloons, and lightweight plastic bags. The industry will also be given incentives to develop less polluting alternatives for these products.
Collection targets: EU countries will be obliged to collect 90 per cent of single-use plastic drinks bottles by 2025, for example through deposit refund schemes.
Labelling Requirements: Certain products will require a clear and standardised labelling which indicates how waste should be disposed, the negative environmental impact of the product, and the presence of plastics in the products. This will apply to sanitary towels, wet wipes and balloons.
Awareness-raising measures: EU countries will be obliged to raise consumers’ awareness about the negative impact of littering of single-use plastics and fishing gear as well as about the available re-use systems and waste management options for all these products.
For fishing gear, which accounts for 27 per cent of all beach litter, the Commission aims to complete the existing policy framework with producer responsibility schemes for fishing gear containing plastic. Producers of plastic fishing gear will be required to cover the costs of waste collection from port reception facilities and its transport and treatment. They will also cover the costs of awareness-raising measures.
The Commission’s proposals will now go to the European Parliament and Council for adoption.
To mark the World Environment Day on June 5, the Commission will also launch an EU-wide awareness-raising campaign to put the spotlight on consumer choice and highlight individual people’s role in combatting plastic pollution and marine litter.
