plastic, on items for which alternatives already exist, in a bid to mitigate ocean pollution – a move that has been largely praised by architects, designers and brands.
The proposals, which were approved in principal this week, will see single-use plastic items including cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and balloon sticks banned in all EU countries by 2021.
According to the European Commission, more than 80 per cent of marine litter is made up of plastics, with the products included in these restrictions constituting over 70 per cent of this figure.
These plastic products collect in seas, oceans and on beaches across the world, and are ingested by marine wildlife, including some species that are consumed by humans such as fish and shellfish.
Plastic waste impacts economy as well as environment
“While plastics are a convenient, adaptable, useful and economically valuable material, they need to be better used, re-used and recycled,” said the European Commission.
“When littered, the economic impact of plastics encompasses not just the lost economic value in the material, but also the costs of cleaning up and losses for tourism, fisheries and shipping.”
Products made of oxo-degradable plastics, like bags or packaging, and fast-food containers made of expanded polystyrene are also included on the list of plastic items that will be banned from the EU market.
Ban won’t apply to items without plastic-free alternatives
However the legislation, which was passed with 571 votes to 53, will not apply to items with no readily available alternatives.
Single-use burger and sandwich boxes or food containers for fruits, vegetables, desserts and ice creams will not be banned. Instead, EU member states will be pressed to reduce volume by at least 25 per cent by 2025.
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