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After the vote was adopted Wednesday by 571-53, the MEP who had proposed the bill, Frédérique Ries, had tweeted that it was "a victory for our oceans, for the environment and for future generations ".
"We have adopted the most ambitious legislation against single-use plastics," she said in a statement posted on the parliament website.
"It is essential to protect the marine environment and reduce the costs of environmental damage attributable to plastic pollution in Europe, estimated at 22 billion euros by 2030."
The European Commission proposed the ban in May. It will have to be approved by the Member States after negotiations, which, according to Ries, is optimistic.
"It is now up to us to stay the course in the upcoming negotiations with the Council, which should begin in November," she said.
Last year, China banned the import of 24 varieties of solid waste, including types of plastic and unsorted paper, putting pressure on Europe for it to deal with its own waste.
The World Economic Forum estimates that there are about 150 million tons of plastic in the world's seas. A study published in Science in 2015 suggested that between five and 13 million additional tons flock there each year.
Research shows that there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world's oceans by 2050, which has prompted policy makers, individuals and businesses to take action.
Proposed European rules
The list of prohibited items offered includes polystyrene fast food containers and oxo-degradable plastic products. Member States will have to reduce their consumption by at least 25% by 2025, which includes single – use burger boxes, sandwich boxes or containers for fruit, vegetables, desserts or ice cream. said Parliament in its statement.
MEPs agreed that the reduction measures should also cover tobacco product waste, in particular cigarette filters containing plastic.
The pressure group, the Rethink Plastic Alliance, is pleased with the proposed directive, but said that it does not go far enough.
"The European Parliament has made history by voting in favor of reducing single-use plastics and reducing plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans," said Justine Maillot, European Affairs Project Manager. "to Surfrider Foundation Europe on behalf of Rethink Plastic.
"Citizens from all over Europe want to stop plastic pollution, it's up to national governments to maintain their high ambition and resist the pressure of businesses to keep a disposable culture" , he added.
However, the alliance added in a statement that it was disappointed that Parliament is not banning very light disposable plastic bags.
Several countries are considering banning single-use plastics. The UK has launched a consultation on the ban on plastic straws, drink shakers and cotton swabs.
European countries started to eliminate plastic bags more than 15 years ago. Dozens of other countries and cities have already imposed bans or restrictions on plastic products, including microbeads, plastic straws and coffee pods.
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