Europe’s fight against plastics pollution & Germany’s one-way plastics ban
The EU aims to become a forerunner in the global fight against marine litter and plastic pollution. EU rules aims to reduce the volume and impact of certain plastic products on the environment….
Through the EU’s Directive on single-use plastics, different measures are being applied to different products. These measures are proportionate and tailored to get the most effective results, and also take into account if more sustainable alternatives are available.
The 10 items being addressed by the Directive are
- Cotton bud sticks
- Cutlery, plates, straws and stirrers
- Balloons and sticks for balloons
- Food containers
- Cups for beverages
- Beverage containers
- Cigarette butts
- Plastic bags
- Packets and wrappers
- Wet wipes and sanitary items
Where sustainable alternatives are easily available and affordable, single-use plastic products cannot be placed on the markets of EU Member States. This applies to cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and sticks for balloons. It will also apply to cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastic.
Read more at the European Commission’s website
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics_en
The aim of the EU is to use the one-way plastic ban to help contain plastic waste in the seas.
Germany’s one-way plastic ban is different in other EU countries. For Germany, the classification as a plastic product is based solely on the plastic definition of the one-way plastic ban regulation.
Plastics certified as biodegradable only degrade under certain conditions in composting plants BUT degradation under other environmental conditions, especially in marine waters, is not guaranteed.
Find out more: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics_en