EU Looks to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Such as Straws, Disposable Cutlery

The ban would cover plastic straws, cotton earbuds, cutlery, balloon sticks and drink stirrers. The proposal also has aggressive goals for managing other single-use plastics.

The European Commission’s proposal was presented at a May 28 news conference in Brussels by Frans Timmermans and Jyrki Katainen, two EC vice presidents.

The commission targeted 10 of the most commonly found single-use plastic products as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.

“We have put together a directive, which will cover 70 percent of the litter found on European beaches,” Timmermans said.

Single-use plastic products for which alternatives are readily available will be banned outright.

“These products are: plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and sticks for balloons,” Timmermans said. “Let me be very clear. These products won’t disappear; they’ll just be made with different materials.”

The use of products for which no straightforward alternatives have yet been developed will be curbed, with member states being required to achieve a “significant reduction.” For example, states would be required to collect 90 percent of single-use plastic drink bottles by 2025.

Additionally, the proposal includes design and labeling requirements and waste management and clean-up obligations for producers.

Source:  Plastics News