EU votes to ban throwaway plastics by 2021 News
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EU votes to ban throwaway plastics by 2021

Members of the EU Parliament approved a draft bill Wednesday to ban single use plastics by 2021.

According to the European Commission, single use plastics make up 70 percent of marine litter and include items like plastic cutlery, straws and take out containers. Overall, 80 percent of Marine litter is plastics. While single-use plastic is often most convenient for consumers, this legislation encourages better recycling and re-use. The litter from disposed plastic has an enormous impact on various animal species, and cost to the economy in clean up efforts, fisheries and tourism.

The legislation particularly targets discarded cigarette butts, which are common and can pollute large quantities of water before disintegrating. The goal is for cigarette butts to be reduced by 50 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2030. Another common item with particular attention was discarded fishing gear with a goal of 50 percent of lost gear collected per year and 15 percent of plastic fishing gear recycled by 2025.

Environmental groups were pleased with Wednesday’s vote. “The European Parliament has made history by voting to reduce single-use plastics and slash plastic pollution in our rivers and ocean,” said Justine Maillot, EU Affairs Project Officer at Surfrider Foundation Europe on behalf of Rethink Plastic. “Citizens across Europe want to see an end to plastic pollution. It’s now up to national governments to keep the ambition high, and resist corporate pressure to continue a throwaway culture.”

The legislation, drafted by Frédérique Ries, was adopted with 571 votes to 53 and 34 abstentions. Parliament will now enter into negotiations with Council when EU ministers will vote.

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