European Parliament Approves Ban On Single-Use Plastic

24th October 2018

By LoveEarth

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The European Parliament has voted for a complete ban on a range of single-use plastics across the union in a bid to stop pollution of the oceans.

Parliament members backed a ban on plastic cutlery and plates, cotton buds, straws, drink-stirrers, and balloon sticks.
The proposal also calls for a reduction in single-use plastic for food and drink containers like plastic cups.
One Representative said, if no action was taken, “by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans”.
The European Commission proposed a ban in May, following a surge in public support attributed to documentaries such as David Attenborough’s BBC Blue Planet series.
The measure still has to clear some procedural hurdles, but is expected to go through. The EU hopes it will go into effect across the bloc by 2021.

The UK will also have to incorporate the rules into national law if the ban becomes a fully-fledged directive before the end of a Brexit transition period.
After the parliamentary vote was backed by 571-53, the Member of Parliament responsible for the bill, Frédérique Ries, said it was “a victory for our oceans, for the environment and for future generations.”
Several countries are already considering proposals to target disposable plastic products – including the UK.

What’s being banned?

• ● The directive targets some of the most common ocean-polluting plastics.
• ● The list of banned items such as cutlery and cotton buds was chosen because there are readily available alternatives, such as paper straws and cardboard containers.
• ● Other items, “where no alternative exists” will still have to be reduced by 25% in each country by 2025. Examples given include burger boxes and sandwich wrappers.

Read More: BBC News | NY Times