The Last Straw for Single-Use Plastics?

The Last Straw for Single-Use Plastics?

by BridgehouseLaw Staff

European Members of parliament have been debating new rules on single-use plastics in an effort to reduce plastic waste in our oceans. The list of items to be scrapped includes cotton buds, plastic cutlery, straws which make up 70 percent of marine litter.

The European Members of parliament on the 24th of October, 2018, voted for the complete ban of all single-use plastics in all countries within the European Union. This was done to help stop the pollution of seas, waterways, and oceans. The ban which includes products that are made of plastic such as straws, plates, balloons, and cutlery is to take effect by 2021 after all the necessary procedural steps have been taken.

The ban which was approved after votes favored the decision 571-53 was a move to fight against plastics that were used to pollute the ocean and marine life. The main issue with these plastics wastes that washed into the ocean is that they are very harmful to the fishes and marine life in the water and take centuries to degrade which is a very long time. They also travel long distances and damage marine flora and fauna.

In addition to this, the EU which as of now recycles only a quarter of the plastics waste it produces every year approved that by 2025 all EU states would be required to recycle 90 percent of plastic bottles and producers would help cover costs of waste management. Did the EU make the right decision? Does this mean plastics will cease to exist soon? Is marine life safer this way?

@BridgehouseLaw will track this case and provide more updates. In the meantime: try to adjust to tin products.