Europe’s response

The European Union, even if none of the member states represent the 20 major responsible counties for the dispersal of plastic waste in the sea, is aggressively launching a strategy and a series of norm ad hoc to face the problem. After the orientation paper “A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy”, adopted in January of 2018, on January 19th 2019 the definitive report (which was to be submitted and judged in the span of a few months for the approval of the EU Parliamentary Counsel) of the directive for the “reduction of the impact on the environment of certain plastic”(including single use plastic, fishing equipment oxo-degradable plastic) was dismissed.

2021

Ban to trade in the whole EU territory certain products made of single use plastic (plates, cutlery, straws, drink mixers, containers, cups and trays made from expanded styrofoam, with relative lids for takeaway food and fast food, cotton swabs, sticks for balloons, light plastic bags, oxo-degradable plastic) with a single exemption (until 2023) for single use tableware used in social services - in the context of public contracts of assigned before December 31st 2019. The report was devised in a way that it seems like not even single use products made from compostable and biodegradable products are allowed.

2025

There will have to be a 50% reduction in cigarette stubs, whose filters are composed of plastic fibers, dispersed in the environment and the percentage will increase to 80% in 2030 expecting specific obligation and charges for the products for the achievement of these objectives. The manufacturers of fishing equipment that are composed of plastic will need to contribute to the achievement of a recycling objective and will need to ensure that at least 15% of plastic equipment is collected each year while the States of the European Union will need to ensure 50%.

2026

A significant and proven reduction (compared to 2022) of the placing of plastic containers and relative lids of drinks by the glass, of food containers destined to an immediate consumption (both on site and prior takeaway) directly from container and that do not need any ulterior preparation (heat or cooking) are to be taken out of the market.

2029

Separated collection aimed to mechanically recycle plastic bottles that are at least 90% (77% in 2015) and requirement for caps to remain attached to bottle for its whole “lifetime” to avoid dispersal. To reach these objectives member states can also introduce cautional systems.