The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have reached a provisional political agreement on the ambitious new measures proposed by the Commission to stop littering the Ocean.

Negotiators from the European Parliament and Council for the 28 EU countries agreed to cut pollution from a list of 10 throw-away plastic products with readily available alternatives.

These items include cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers, sticks for balloons and food containers made of expanded polystyrene. Food containers and drinks cups and lids will be limited and manufacturers also have to comply with clean-up obligations.

In a statement on Wednesday, Frédérique Ries, the Belgian MEP said the deal “will reduce the environmental damage bill by €22 billion, which is the cost of plastic pollution in Europe until 2030”. The proposal also sets out how individual EU member states will have to meet targets for phasing out single-use plastics.

All plastic bottles, the most littered item found on European beaches, will be at least 30 percent recycled content by 2030.

Producers of tobacco filters — the second most common piece of litter found on beaches, according to the Commission — will have to cover the cost for public collection of cigarette stubs.

For fishing gear, accounting for about a quarter of all beach litter, manufacturers will be obligated to pay for waste collection and treatment.

But on other items, EU countries can choose voluntary agreements between industry and authorities instead of binding ones.

“The EU deserves praise for being the first region to introduce new laws to reduce single-use plastics and slash plastic pollution in our fields, rivers and oceans,” said on behalf of Rethink Plastic, Meadhbh Bolger, resource justice campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe.

The ban must now make its way to the European Parliament and Council, where, if approved, would start the period: The 28 member states would have two years to implement the new rules.

* And what can we join a hand to help the planet

1. Say “no” to plastic straws

Whenever ordering a drink, simply request ‘no straw’.

Servers and restaurant owners should use some kind of alternatives to plastic straws like rice straws.

Made of 100% natural, a combination of rice flour and wheat, “edible straw” is the name that young people gave to these straws. In particular, these straws are dyed from completely natural materials such as spinach leaves, batata, black sesame … In cold drinks, rice straws can be used for 4-10 hours, and for hot drinks, they can last 2-3 hours. This type of straws is made from a combination of rice flour and wheat flour. Now instead of throwing, you can literally “eat straws”.

Vinastraws are proud of a Vietnamese leading rice straws supplier and manufacturer. We are a prestige and quality company for domestic and international markets. With efforts in operating, production and business activities, we always towards customer satisfaction. Vinastraws committed to giving you the best experience with good products in terms of quality and environmental protection.

2. Do less: less consumption, less plastic, less waste

The less plastic used, the less trash.

Instead of throwing away after use, there are tons of easy and creative ways to reuse some of the plastic items in our homes.

– Cut off the bottom of two liter bottles and use them as small planters.

– Wash and reuse plastic soda bottles as pretty water containers

– Make a DIY Plastic Bottle Planter

……

3. Use reusable items

By cleaning glass jars and bottles, you can use them as containers to store things.

4. Bring your own containers when in restaurant

Source:

political.eu

independent UK