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The plastic problem is both European and global: across the world, plastics make up 85% of marine litter. And plastics are even reaching people's lungs and dinner tables, with micro-plastics in the air, water and food having an unknown impact on their health. Tackling the plastics problem is a must and it can bring new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and job creation.

Background

Present EU’s initiative delivers on the commitment made in the European Plastics Strategy (January 2018) to tackle wasteful and damaging plastic litter through legislative action. The measures proposed will contribute to Europe's transition towards circular economy development, to reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the EU's climate commitments and industrial policy objectives.

On plastic strategy see: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-5_en.htm

In the public consultation between December 2017 and February 2018, 95% of respondents agreed that action to tackle single use plastics is both necessary and urgent, and 79% believed that these measures should be taken at EU level in order to be effective. About 70% of manufacturers and 80% of brands also replied that action is necessary and urgent.72 % have cut down on their use of plastic bags and 38 % of them over the last year.

The draft Directive builds on existing rules such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and Waste Directives, and complements other measures taken against marine pollution, such as those in the Port Reception Facilities Directive, and proposed restrictions on micro plastics and oxo-degradable plastics. It follows a similar approach to the successful 2015 Plastic Bags Directive, which was positively received and brought about a rapid shift in consumer behavior.

The proposed Directive will bring both environmental and economic benefits; new measures will for example allow to:

·         avoid the emission of 3.4 million tones of CO₂ equivalent;

·         avoid environmental damages which would cost the equivalent of €22 billion by 2030;

·         save consumers a projected €6.5 billion.

Along with the new EU waste rules and targets adopted in May 2018, the new rules will provide the clarity, legal certainty and economies of scale that EU companies need to take the lead in new markets for innovative multi-use alternatives, new materials and better designed products.

The new rules have different measures applied to different products: for example, where alternatives are readily available and affordable, single-use plastic products will be banned from the market. For products without straight-forward alternatives, the focus is on limiting their use through a national reduction in consumption; design and labeling requirements and waste management/clean-up obligations for producers. Together, the new rules will put Europe ahead of the curve on an issue with global implications.

First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, commenting on the draft said that plastic waste have been undeniably “a big issue and Europeans need to act together to tackle this problem”. The problem becomes worse as plastic waste ends up in air, soil, oceans and food. The proposals will reduce single use plastics in supermarkets through a range of measures: e.g. by banning some of these items and/or by substituting them with cleaner alternatives so people can still use their favorite products.

Commission vice-president Jyrki Katainen added that although plastic can be fantastic, people need to use it more responsibly. “Single use plastics are not a smart economic or environmental choice”, he noted; hence the draft would help business and consumers to move towards sustainable alternatives.

Other business’ aspects

The plastic draft is an opportunity for the EU states in creating products that the world will demand while extracting more economic value from precious and limited resources. Besides, the EU’s collection target for plastic bottles will also help to generate the necessary volumes for a thriving plastic recycling industry.

There is a strong business case for transforming the way products are designed, produced, used, and recycled in the EU and by taking the lead in this transition: the new plastic strategy will create new investment opportunities and jobs. Under the new plans, all plastic packaging on the EU market will be recyclable by 2030, the consumption of single-use plastics will be reduced and the intentional use of micro plastics will be restricted.

Companies will be given a competitive edge: having one set of rules for the whole EU market will create a springboard for European companies to develop economies of scale and be more competitive in the booming global marketplace for sustainable products. By setting up re-use systems (such as deposit refund schemes), companies can ensure a stable supply of high quality material. In other cases, the incentive to look for more sustainable solutions can give companies the technological lead over global competitors.

Different measures for different products

After addressing plastic bags in 2015, 72% of Europeans said they have cut down on their use of plastic bags (Eurobarometer). The EU is now turning its attention to the 10 single-use plastic products and fishing gear that together account for 70% of the marine litter in Europe. The new rules will introduce:

·         Plastic ban in certain products: where alternatives are readily available and affordable, single-use plastic products will be banned from the market. The ban will apply to plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and sticks for balloons which will all have to be made exclusively from more sustainable materials instead. Single-use drinks containers made with plastic will only be allowed on the market if their caps and lids remain attached;

·         Consumption reduction targets: the EU states will have to reduce the use of plastic food containers and drinks cups. They can do so by setting national reduction targets, making alternative products available at the point of sale, or ensuring that single-use plastic products cannot be provided free of charge;

·         Obligations for producers: producers will help cover the costs of waste management and clean-up, as well as awareness raising measures for food containers, packets and wrappers (such as for crisps and sweets), drinks containers and cups, tobacco products with filters (such as cigarette butts), wet wipes, balloons, and lightweight plastic bags. The industry will also be given incentives to develop less polluting alternatives for these products;

·         Collection targets: the EU states will be obliged to collect 90% of single-use plastic drinks bottles by 2025, for example through deposit refund schemes;

·         Labeling requirements: certain products will require a clear and standardised labeling which will indicate how waste should be disposed, the negative environmental impact of the product, and the presence of plastics in the products. This will apply to sanitary towels, wet wipes and balloons;

·         Awareness-raising measures: the EU states will be obliged to raise consumers' awareness about the negative impact of littering of single-use plastics and fishing gear as well as about the available re-use systems and waste management options for all these products.

For fishing gear, which accounts for 27% of all beach litter, the Commission aims to complete the existing policy framework with producer responsibility schemes for fishing gear containing plastic. Producers of plastic fishing gear will be required to cover the costs of waste collection from port reception facilities and its transport and treatment. They will also cover the costs of awareness-raising measures. Details on the new rules for fishing gear are available at:

https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/new-proposal-will-tackle-marine-litter-and-%E2%80%9Cghost-fishing%E2%80%9D_en

Perspectives

The Commission's draft will need an approval from both the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission urges all other EU institutions to treat the draft as a priority issue and deliver tangible results before the EU elections in May 2019.

To mark the World Environment Day on 5 June 2018, the Commission will also launch an EU-wide awareness-raising campaign to put the spotlight on consumer choice and highlight individual people's role in combating plastic pollution and marine litter.

However, tackling EU-produced marine litter is only one part of the world-wide picture. But by taking the lead, the EU takes a strong position to drive change at the global level: e.g. through the G7 and G20 and through the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

More in the following websites: = Questions and Answers: New EU rules on single-use plastics

Factsheet; = Proposal for a Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment & Annex; = Impact assessment & Summary

Source: Commission press release: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3927_en.htm; Latvian version at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3927_lv.htm