Say NO to plastic!
Are you fed up with plastic litter on the beach? We have good news for you! As of 3 July, the sale of certain plastic products is banned throughout the EU. Yet another step towards less plastic in the environment.
The ban is a result of the Single-Use Plastics Directive adopted by the EU in 2019. All countries had two years to transpose the directive into national law. On 3 July it became binding in all EU countries.
What exactly is banned? Products intended for single use for which more sustainable alternatives are available. These include cotton buds sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and sticks for balloons, as well as cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and all products made of oxo-degradable plastic.
Drowning in plastic
Why is getting rid of these plastic objects so important? Because they are rarely recycled and often end up in seas and oceans. In the EU, up to 85% of beach litter consists of plastic, with single-use plastic items representing half of that total.
This represents a severe threat not only to oceans and sea life, but also to human health. Plastic objects get fragmented into tiny particles that many sea creatures mistake for food. They are then swallowed and contaminate the creatures which eat them. This way, plastic also ends up in our stomachs.
More than just a ban
The directive also introduces other novelties. From now on, the labels of certain plastic products will contain information about the impact of the products on the environment and instructions on how to dispose of them correctly. Producers will have to contribute to raising awareness of plastic waste and will be jointly responsible for collection and waste treatment operations.
EU countries have also agreed that, by 2029, 90% of plastic bottles will be collected for recycling. Moreover, plastic bottles will have to contain at least 25% recycled plastic by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
Now it’s your turn!
The new law aims to reduce the use of the most frequently littered plastic products. However, overall success in getting rid of plastic from the environment depends very much on our daily choices. It’s time for you to act!
- Re-use: switch to reusable bags, cups and containers
- Choose wisely: avoid plastic packaging wherever possible, select products packed sustainably
- Replace: dozens of daily-use products containing plastic have alternatives made of metal, wood or paper.
The above examples are just a few out of hundreds of tiny things you can do. Keep your eyes open for more, and reduce your personal plastic use as much as possible.