The European Parliament supports the ban on disposable plastic

The ban on disposable plastic items has taken a step further. The European Parliament voted Wednesday the ban on ten plastic products that are only used once. Starting in 2021, straws, cutlery, partitions, plates, stirrups and cotton swabs can no longer be made of disposable plastic.

The proposal was originally proposed by the European Commission. The ban must ensure that the disposable plastic disappears and does not end up in the environment as waste. Products that will soon no longer be made of plastic account for around 70% of plastic waste floating in European waters.

The European Parliament – 571 deputies voted in favor, 53 against 34 abstentions – strengthened the plans on several points. For example, products that do not have an alternative material should be used to minimize their use. This will be the case, among others, cups and trays for meals to take away. It takes longer to break down these materials.

In addition, Parliament wants the bill to come back more to producers: they will have to pay for the disposal of plastic waste. They are then sanitary towels, wipes and cleaning balls. And producers must indicate on the labels the best way to dispose of a plastic product.

In addition, from 2025, at least 90% of plastic water bottles must be recycled. The cigarette butt waste – which needs more than a decade to decompose into water – will need to be reduced by 50% by 2025 and by 80% by 2030. And Parliament wants to act against ghost nets, fishing nets left at sea.

It is now the turn of the Member States

"We send a strong signal to the industry," said l & # MEP Frédérique Ries at the Reuters news agency. Belgium will negotiate with the EU Member States on behalf of the parliament. "Support on this subject is wide and growing."

It is now up to the European Member States to decide on the proposal. Then there is consultation between the Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States in order to reach a common position and plan. The goal is to complete this for the European elections in May next year.

In 2016, the European Union decided to reduce the use of plastic bags. In the Netherlands, a ban on the free provision of plastic bags has been introduced. Since then, a small amount for a bag has usually been paid in the stores.