On Monday, the European Union (EU) proposed a ban on all single-use plastics, such as straws and plastic utensils.
The EU hopes to reduce the amount of single-use plastic items which are “most often found on Europe’s beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.”
According to the EU’s proposal, these items make up nearly 70% of all the litter found in the ocean around Europe and 85% worldwide.
Member states of the EU will ban plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers, sticks for balloons, food containers, packets and wrappers such as chip and snack bags, drinks containers and cups, as well as tobacco products with filters (such as cigarette butts), wet wipes, balloons, and lightweight plastic bags.
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Where alternatives to plastic products are available and affordable, single-use plastics will be banned from the market, but if no other options are available, then member states must set targets on the amounts of plastics they hope to reduce.
The proposal will now have to go through the European Parliament and Commission to be reviewed before it can be put into effect.
Carbon dioxide emissions are estimated to be reduced by 3.4 million tonnes, as well as saving consumers approximately €6.5 billion, or $7.5 billion USD.
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The European Commission’s First Vice-President Frans Timmermans has said that “plastic waste is undeniably a big issue and Europeans need to act together to tackle this problem because plastic waste ends up in our air, our soil, our oceans, and in our food.”
Vice-President Jyrki Katainen has also mentioned how “[single-use] plastics are not a smart economic or environmental choice, and today’s proposals will help business and consumers to move towards sustainable alternatives.”
The EU also hopes that this proposal will help to save a total of €22 billion, or approximately $25.5 billion, in environmental damages by 2030.
Featured Image: twitter
