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Marine plastic is often consumed by marine animals, with fatal consequences
The European Parliament has voted in favor of a complete ban of a range of single-use plastics throughout the union in order to combat ocean pollution.
MEPs backed the ban on plastic cutlery and plates, cotton swabs, straws, drink shakers and balloon sticks.
The proposal also calls for a reduction of single-use plastics for food and beverage containers such as plastic cups.
One MEP said that if no action is taken, "by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans".
The European Commission proposed a ban in May, following an increase in public support awarded to documentaries such as David Attenborough's BBC Blue Planet series.
The measure still has to lift some procedural hurdles, but should pass. The EU hopes that it will enter into force throughout the bloc by 2021.
The United Kingdom will also have to incorporate the rules into national legislation if the ban becomes a full-fledged directive before the end of the Brexit transition period.
After the vote of the Parliament by 571-53, the MEP responsible for the bill, Frédérique Ries, said that it was "a victory for our oceans, for the sake of Environment and for future generations ".
Several countries are already studying proposals to target disposable plastic products, including the United Kingdom.
What is forbidden?
The directive targets some of the most common plastics that pollute the oceans.
The list of prohibited items such as cutlery and cotton swabs was chosen because there are alternatives that are readily available, such as paper straws and cardboard containers.
Other articles, "where there is no alternative", will have to be further reduced by 25% in each country by 2025. Examples given include burger boxes and sandwich packs.
MEPs also discussed amendments to plans for cigarette filters, a plastic pollutant that is a common litter on beaches. Cigarette manufacturers will have to reduce plastic by 50% by 2025 and by 80% by 2030.
Another ambitious goal is to ensure that 90% of all plastic beverage bottles are collected for recycling by 2025. Currently, bottles and lids represent approximately 20% of all plastics from the sea, says the report of the European Parliament.
Manufacturers will also have to take greater responsibility for the evolution of their plastic products and packaging.
How big is the problem?
EU research on the subject says that about 150,000 tonnes of plastic are released into European waters each year.
This is only a small factor contributing to the global problem: it is estimated that eight million tons of plastics enter the world's oceans every year. And once there, the plastic can travel great distances in case of ocean currents.
These plastics have a huge effect on marine life.
Fish and large aquatic mammals can be killed by pollution. Whales can eat plastic bags, which prevents them from eating real food, which can eventually lead to death.
When plastic debris decays due to wear, they do not decompose in the same way as other products like wood, but break down into smaller and smaller pieces, becoming "microplastics" ".
These tiny fragments often end up in the fish and can then be passed on to humans.
Large amounts of plastic waste are dragged onto beaches where they can be eaten by seabirds and other animals and killed.
