TStarting from July 3, 2019, the regulations on "Anti-single-use plastics" that were passed by the European Council on May 21, 2019, will come into effect. The aim of this regulation is to decrease the use of plastic products including disposable cutlery, dishes, and utensils, among others, with the intention of reducing the impact of environmental pollution.
Less than 30% of the 25.8 million tons of plastic waste generated annually in Europe is being collected or recycled, resulting in an accumulation of plastic waste in our environment. Single-use items like bags, straws, coffee cups, beverage bottles, and most food packaging contribute significantly to the impact of plastic waste on our surroundings. The detrimental effects of plastic waste are increasingly on the rise and warrant attention to address this issue.
In the years leading up to 2015, over 100 billion plastic bags were utilized annually in the EU member states, a staggering number and devastating for the environment. Of those bags, 8 billion ended up discarded in the ocean. If nothing changes, EU experts predict that by 2030, the cost of plastic waste to the European environment will soar to a whopping 22 billion euros.
Which plastic goods will be banned or phased out?
As of July 3, the use of plastic products that have alternate substitutes have been prohibited. This ban encompasses a range of items such as plastic bags, cutlery, cotton swabs, dinner plates, straws, water cups, polystyrene containers, balloons, and their sticks. The implications of this decision are significant, particularly for businesses in the food packaging, catering, service and entertainment industries. Industries across the board will be impacted by this change, making it especially vital for all affected sectors to adapt and find sustainable alternatives.
Certain plastic products won't be immediately discontinued, but they will gradually be phased out. This mainly includes products that do not currently have alternatives to plastic. Examples of such products include tea cups, drinking cups, plastic-coated paper cups, and food containers.
Although new regulations mandate that certain commodities must adopt specific technologies and labeling to enhance environmental consciousness and waste classification, they will not be immediately eliminated from the market.
The European Union has implemented new regulations that aim to protect the marine environment from the harmful effects of plastic pollution. To achieve this, the rules have been set to enforce stricter requirements on 10 categories of plastic products and packaging that contribute to beach pollution. It is hoped that these changes will encourage people to adopt more environmentally-friendly habits to reduce the detrimental impact on the planet.
Starting on July 1, 2021, certain single-use plastic products are banned across Europe as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste. Products that fall under this ban cannot be cleared for use or sale in the European market.
Clean ear cotton swabs
Fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks
plate
straw
coffee spoon
balloon stick
packing box
cups, lids
plastic bag
When going through customs, it's important to double check if you have any plastic items on you that were previously mentioned. If this is the case, it's best to either avoid bringing them altogether or replace them with suitable alternatives. Biodegradable materials are currently the most favored substitute and are highly recommended.