In May, the EU Commission made a proposal to curb the use of single-use plastic products. This should help to protect the oceans, as a large proportion of marine litter consists of plastic. The European Parliament officially approved the European Commission's proposal yesterday, 24.10.2018. 571 MEPs voted in favor of the new regulation, 53 voted against and 34 abstained.
A number of single-use products are to be banned by 2021. The single-use products that will soon be banned include straws, plastic tableware and cutlery, thin plastic bags, balloon holders and cotton buds. These products are to be replaced by sustainable alternatives, for example straws made from bamboo and paper. The EU Parliament is also tightening up the EU Commission's proposal. For example, plastic bottles are to be collected separately in future. In addition, 90 percent of single-use plastic bottles are to be recycled by 2025. Newly sold bottles should consist of at least 35% recycled material.
Furthermore, 50 percent of the fishing nets floating in the sea are to be collected. The manufacturers of cigarettes and fishing gear are to contribute to the costs of collecting plastic waste on beaches and in the sea. They should also contribute to the costs of educating people about the litter problem.
The European Parliament and the EU member states will jointly decide on the exact new directives.
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