On October 24th, the world's major mainstream media CNN, BBC, VOA, and the British Guardian reported that the European Parliament passed the new draft of the European Commission on the 24th with an overwhelming majority (571-53), before 2021. It is forbidden to use disposable plastic products such as straws, cotton swabs and disposable plastic plates and tableware. The European Parliament also included high-light plastic bags and polystyrene snack boxes on the 24th.
In order to reduce the pollution of plastic garbage in cities and seas, the European Commission submitted a new EU-wide draft decree in May this year, prohibiting the use of 10 kinds of plastic fishing gear, plastic utensils, straws, coffee stirring bars and cotton swabs and plastic balloon racks. Plastic products, restricted use of plastic cups, and plastic boxes and beverage containers for takeaway. The European Parliament has passed the decree in the first instance.
Frédérique Ries, an environmental protection official responsible for the bill, said it was 'a victory for our oceans, the environment and future generations'.
'We have taken the most ambitious legislation for disposable plastics, and now we have decided to stick to the upcoming negotiations with the Security Council, which will begin in November. Today's vote paves the way for the ambitious directives to be introduced. . '
'It is essential to protect the marine environment and reduce the cost of environmental damage caused by plastic pollution in Europe, which is estimated to reach 22 billion euros ($25 billion) by 2030. 'She quoted in a statement issued on the Parliament website.
What is prohibited?
The directive targets some of the most common marine pollution plastics.
By 2025, there is still a need to reduce plastics by 25% for other items without substitutes, such as hamburgers and sandwich wraps, or food containers for fruits, vegetables, desserts or ice cream.
Members of the European Parliament have also revised the cigarette filter program, a plastic contaminant that is common on the beach. By 2025, cigarette manufacturers must reduce plastics by 50% and by 2030 by 80%. .
Another ambitious goal is to ensure that 90% of all plastic beverage bottles are collected for recycling by 2025. Currently, bottles and their covers account for about 20% of all sea plastics, the European Parliament reported.
Manufacturers must also take more responsibility for the situation of their plastic products and packaging.
What is the next step of the EU?
In order to reduce the use of plastic boxes and beverage containers for take-away, fishing gear, etc., the European Commission has proposed:
Manufacturers of certain products are required to help pay for the disposal and cleaning of waste such as balloons, filter cigarette butts, plastic bags, candy wrappers, potato chips and wet wipes.
Producers of plastic fishing gear will be charged for port waste collection.
Menstrual pads, wipes and balloons are to be added with instructions on how to handle the label.
Each member state should establish a deposit system or take other measures to ensure that 90% of its domestic plastic bottles are recycled by 2025.
EU member states should raise awareness of the dangers of disposable plastic products.
After the first draft of the European Parliament passed the draft bill submitted by the European Commission, the European Commission is pushing the decree to be finally approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union before the European election in May next year.
In addition, the European Commission immediately began negotiations with member states to implement the ban on the use of disposable plastics by adapting to the proposed changes.