The EU is acting against plastic pollution. As of July 3, 2021, single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks and cotton buds may not be placed on the markets of EU Member States. Likewise, this measure will apply to glasses, food and drink containers made of expanded polystyrene and all oxodegradable plastic products.

Single-use plastic products are made in whole or in part from plastic and are generally intended for a single use for a short period of time. With the new regulation, certain disposable plastic products for which there are alternatives are prohibited. Specific measures are also dictated to reduce the use of some products.

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Why is the EU dealing with the waste generated by plastics?

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More than 80% of the garbage in the sea is plastic. Plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and beaches in the EU and around the world. Plastic waste is found in marine species, such as sea turtles, seals, whales and birds, but also in fish and shellfish and therefore in the human food chain.

While plastic is a convenient, useful, and evaluable material, it should be better used, reused, and recycled. When plastics are thrown away, the economic impact includes not only the loss of economic value of the material, but also clean-up costs and losses to tourism, fishing and shipping.

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