EU Votes to Ban 10 Types of Single-use Plastics by 2021

The European Parliament on March 27 voted in favor of banning 10 different types of single-use plastic items by 2021. Banned items will comprise the 10 most found items on European Union (EU) beaches, including plates, straws, balloon sticks, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene and all products made of oxo-degradable plastic.  

According to a Global News report, EU countries can choose their own methods of reducing the use of other single-use plastics such as takeout containers and cups for beverages. They will also have to collect and recycle at least 90 percent of beverage bottles by 2029. In addition, tobacco companies will be required to cover the costs for public collection of cigarette butts.

Global News has more details:

Single-use plastic items such as straws, forks and knives as well as cotton buds will be banned in the European Union by 2021 following a vote by EU lawmakers on Wednesday as the bloc pushes manufacturers to step up their recycling efforts.

Growing concerns about plastic pollution in oceans and stories of dead whales with plastic in their stomachs, together with China’s decision to stop processing waste have prompted the EU to take more drastic steps to tackle the issue.

Marine litter has come under the spotlight because 85 percent of it is plastic.

Read the full article here.