The European Parliament approved a ban on a number of single-use plastic items
As "Russkaya Germaniya" notes, plastic was a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of product packaging and world trade, and it is also one of the main "pests" of the modern world, causing irreparable damage to nature. Many types of this cheap and convenient material are extremely resistant and stable; the material remains in nature for decades.
Mechanically abrading into fine particles like sand, plastic is eventually washed into the World Ocean, where it has a strong impact on the ecosystem, disrupting natural food chains, and the problem of plastic in waste has long become global. In Europe alone, about 25 million tons of plastic are thrown away annually, only 30 percent of which could be recycled.
The European Union has found a radical solution that should significantly reduce the share of plastic in waste. By taking such measures, we are following the path of other states. In India, one of the world's strictest environmental protection laws was adopted this year. In Kenya, laws restrict the use of plastic bags, providing for significant fines and measures up to imprisonment for their use, manufacture and import. Overall, the use of plastic is legally restricted in more than 40 countries.
What does the European Commission's decision mean for the European consumer? The ban will affect disposable tableware, cutlery, straws, cotton swabs for ear cleaning, and plastic balloon sticks. A ban will also be imposed on packaging materials made of polystyrene. All these items familiar to Europeans must be replaced by alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.
The use of single-use plastic bags and packaging is also planned to be significantly limited. Single-use plastic bottles, in order not to be outlawed, must become 90 percent recyclable; bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used for carbonated drinks and water, must by that time consist entirely of material that can be recycled and reused. It is also planned to limit the use of plastic packaging for food sold for takeaway by restaurants and snack bars.
Balloons, which deputies from various parties with an environmental agenda in the European Parliament proposed to ban, will not be banned, nor will warning labels appear on them, but their sticks must become different.
Further measures are not excluded: in particular, manufacturing companies may be involved financially in the collection and recycling of waste. For example, tobacco companies may have to pay for the collection of cigarette butts. European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger also proposes introducing a system of fines – a fee of 80 cents per kilogram of non-recyclable waste, which will have to be paid by the authorities of EU member states.
What will be the result for nature and humanity? Not only a noticeable reduction in the amount of plastic waste entering the World Ocean is expected, but also a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 3.4 million tons, which will avoid environmental damage estimated at 22 billion euros by 2030.
Before the "waste" directive of the European Commission approved in Brussels is reflected in the national legislation of European countries, it must be agreed upon by EU member states and the European Parliament. Their approval and final enactment into laws may take several years.