Unic Press UK: The European Parliament has adopted a single-use plastic directive that was proposed by the European Commission to tackle marine litter that comes from the 10 single-use plastic products often found in Europe as it moves to stimulate the production cum the use of sustainable alternatives that avoid marine litter.
In a press release – http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-19-1873_en.htm – Wednesday, the European Commission said the Single-Use Plastics directive “are part of the EU Plastics Strategy – the most comprehensive strategy in the world adopting a material-specific lifecycle approach with the vision and objectives to have all plastic packaging placed on the EU market as reusable or recyclable by 2030.”
Reacting to the position of the European Parliament, the European Commission first Vice-President Frans Timmermans who oversees sustainable development said: “Today we have taken an important step to reduce littering and plastic pollution in our oceans and seas. We got this, we can do this. Europe is setting new and ambitious standards, paving the way for the rest of the world.”
The Vice-President Vice-President Jyrki Katainen who handles jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness believes that “Once implemented, the new rules will not only prevent plastic pollution, but also make the European Union the world leader in a more sustainable plastic policy. The European Parliament has played an essential role in laying the foundation for this transformation and in giving a chance to the industry to innovate, thus driving forward our circular economy.”
Single-use plastics are those plastics used only once, and thereafter disposed or recycled, such as, plastic fork/spoon, straws, plastic bags, water bottles and plastics used for food packaging.
