The European Commission has introduced the first Europe-wide strategy for plastics, which aims to protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation, “turning a challenge into a positive agenda for the Future of Europe”, the Commission says.
Every year, Europeans generate 25m tonnes of plastic waste, but less than 30% is collected for recycling, the Commission says. Across the world, plastics make up 85% of beach litter, and plastics are even reaching citizens’ lungs and dinner tables, with microplastics in air, water and food having an unknown impact on their health, it claims.
The plastic strategy, unveiled yesterday (16 January) aims to transform the way products are designed, produced, used, and recycled in the EU, focussing on the economic benefits of a more circular approach.
“The goal is to protect the environment whilst at the same time lay foundations to a new plastic economy…”
“The goal is to protect the environment whilst at the same time lay foundations to a new plastic economy,” the Commission said in a statement, “where the design and production fully respect reuse, repair and recycling needs and more sustainable materials are developed.”
With the plastic strategy, the Commission has adopted a Monitoring Framework, composed of a set of ten key indicators which cover each phase of the cycle, which will measure progress towards the transition to a circular economy at EU and national level.
Under the new strategy, the EU will:
- make recycling profitable for business: New rules on packaging will be developed to improve the recyclability of plastics used on the market and increase the demand for recycled plastic content. With more plastic being collected, improved and scaled up recycling facilities should be set up, alongside a better and standardised system for the separate collection and sorting of waste across the EU. This will save around a hundred euros per tonne collected, the Commission says, and will also deliver greater added value for a more competitive, resilient plastics industry.
- curb plastic waste: The new plans will turn to single-use plastics and fishing gear, supporting national awareness campaigns and determining the scope of new EU-wide rules to be proposed in 2018 based on stakeholder consultation and evidence. The Commission will also take measures to restrict the use of microplastics in products, and fix labels for biodegradable and compostable plastics.
- stop littering at sea: New rules on port reception facilities will tackle sea-based marine litter, with measures to ensure that waste generated on ships or gathered at sea is not left behind but returned to land and adequately managed there. Also included are measures to reduce the administrative burden on ports, ships and competent authorities.
- drive investment and innovation:The Commission will provide guidance for national authorities and European businesses on how to minimise plastic waste at source. Support for innovation will be scaled up, with an additional €100m financing the development of smarter and more recyclable plastics materials, making recycling processes more efficient, and tracing and removing hazardous substances and contaminants from recycled plastics.
- spur change across the world: Come up with global solutions and develop international standards. The Commission says it will also continue to support others.
Circular Plastics Economy
First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for sustainable development, said: “If we don’t change the way we produce and use plastics, there will be more plastics than fish in our oceans by 2050. We must stop plastics getting into our water, our food, and even our bodies.
“The only long-term solution is to reduce plastic waste by recycling and reusing more. This is a challenge that citizens, industry and governments must tackle together. With the EU Plastics Strategy we are also driving a new and more circular business model. We need to invest in innovative new technologies that keep our citizens and our environment safe whilst keeping our industry competitive.”
“This is a great opportunity for European industry to develop global leadership in new technology and materials. Consumers are empowered to make conscious choices in favour of the environment. This is true win-win.”
Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness, said: “With our plastic strategy we are laying the foundations for a new circular plastics economy, and driving investment towards it. This will help to reduce plastic litter in land, air and sea while also bringing new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and high quality jobs.
“This is a great opportunity for European industry to develop global leadership in new technology and materials. Consumers are empowered to make conscious choices in favour of the environment. This is true win-win.”
The move comes as Theresa May last week unveiled the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan, which vows to eliminate “avoidable plastic waste” by 2042.
For the full list of measures and their timeline, see the Annex to the Plastics Strategy here.
