Options to be explored include deposit schemes. - Recycled plastic has become an increasingly valuable feedstock. In May 2018, the European Commission put forward a legislative proposal seeking to address the issue of marine litter from plastics. Find out more . European soft drink makers unveiled their new vision for 2030 on Monday (22 February), announcing plans to reach 100% recycled or renewable materials in plastic bottles by the end of the decade. In addition MEPs are also currently discussing a proposal to ban certain single-use plastics such as cutlery, plates and balloon sticks, as well require goods packaging companies to contribute towards the cost of cleaning up discarded plastics. Global plastics production has been multiplied by 20 since the 1960s and is expected to double by 2036. - By 2030 all plastic packaging placed on the EU market is reusable or can be recycled in a cost-effective manner. In the context of the European Strategy for Plastics, as described in Annex III, the European Commission is promoting an EU-wide pledging campaign for the uptake of recycled plastics.. This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. are trying to tackle the plastic waste problem. According to estimates, the potential annual energy savings that could be achieved from recycling all global plastic waste is equivalent to 3.5 billion barrels of oil per year. Several of the policy recom-mendations have already been, or are being, dealt with following related initiatives, including the EU Plastics Strategy and the Bioeconomy strategy, updated in 2018. Discover its strategy from increasing recycling to introducing bans on certain micro-plastics and single-use plastics. The strategy announced by the European Commission, the EU-executive, follows China's decision to ban imports of foreign products to be recycled, including huge quantities from Europe. I accept cookies. But is the existing and planned action at the EU level ambitious enough? The EU wants to reduce the amount of harmful plastic waste ©AP images/European Union -EP . Parliament resolution on European strategy for plastics in a circular economy . Building upon previous efforts to tackle the escalating problem of plastic pollution, in January 2018 the EU adopted the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy.The Strategy aims to protect the environment and citizens from plastic pollution and to demonstrate the business case for transforming the way that products are designed, produced, used and recycled. Check progress on the strategy for plastics . The European Commission sees the SUP directive as a way to reduce marine plastics litter (Photo: PIE) On 21 May 2019, the European Council formally adopted a directive that will ban certain single-use plastic (SUP) items. The Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive 2019 also forms part of the EU’s Plastic Strategy, and will be transposed into Irish Law by 5 July 2021. The Strategy looked to start addressing the issue of microplastics in the European Union by beginning the process to restrict the use of intentionally added (primary) microplastics. Remain committed to developing product requirements under the Ecodesign Directive that take account of Circular Economy aspects to make it easier to recycle. Every year about 26 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated in the EU. The European Strategy for Plastics is a step towards establishing a circular economy in which the design and production of plastics and plastic products fully respect re-use, repair and recycling needs and in which more sustainable materials are developed and promoted. Keen on innovation that are full biodegradable but also reverse logistics, designing for sustainability. European Commission to work with European Committee for Standardisation and the industry to develop quality standards for sorted plastic waste and recycled plastics. They are found in growing quantities in the ocean, but also in food and drink. The EU wants to reduce plastic waste. The EU’s Plastics Strategy is an important step towards a low-carbon Circular Economy based on recycling, renewables and responsible sourcing, and we are ready to make our contribution as a leading food processing and packaging provider. Voluntary commitments from industry to back the strategy. - Reduction in reliance on fossil fuels Life cycle assessment to identify the conditions under which the use of biodegradable or compostable plastics is beneficial. On 16 January 2018, the European Commission published its Communication ‘A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy’. European Commission will look at how to promote this through upcoming evaluation of EU rules on construction and end-of-life vehicles. Direct access to language menu (press "Enter"), Direct access to search menu (press "Enter"), How to reduce plastic waste: EU strategy explained, proposal to ban certain single-use plastics, agreed in December 2018 to ban certain single-use plastics, Legislation restricting lightweight plastics bags. - Innovative material and alternative feedstocks for plastic production are developed EU measures include the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy, and a legislative initiative on single-use plastics (SUPs) proposed in May 2018. Search this websiteSearch. It is the first Europe-wide plastics strategy of its kind. The directive, which originates from the Commission’s Plastic Strategy, focuses on reducing marine litter.Certain nonwovens products, namely feminine hygiene products and wet wipes, have been included under the Single-Use Plastics Directive. The rest either goes to landfill, is incinerated, or ends up uncollected in nature, including on beaches or in forests, rivers and seas.In a bid to tackle plastic pollution, the European Commission proposed a plastics strategy with the aims of ensuring that by 2030 every piece of plastic packaging can be reused or recycled, as well as of reducing the consumption of single-use plastics and the use of micro-plastics. The new Directive is part of the EU Plastics Strategy, adopted in 2018 and aimed at protecting citizens and the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation. PLASTICS STRATEGY – CONTRIBUTION OF BIOPLASTICS TO A SUSTAINABLE CIRCULAR PLASTICS ECONOMY Position of European Bioplastics Actions on EU level: The following measures will facilitate the transition to a low-carbon, bio-based circular economy. Such policy initiatives were triggered by the need to take urgent EU action on plastics and plastic waste. Measures to reduce abandonment of fishing gear at sea. Microplastics may be secondary, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, or primary, and specifically manufactured to size. The main aim of the SUP is the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the … European Strategy on Plastic Waste in the Environment3. Bio-based feedstocks to reduce fossil fuel but need to ensure these are environmentally beneficial. Incorporation with the European Food Safety Agency the Commission will also assess whether safe use of other recycled plastic material could be envisaged, for instance through better characterisation of contaminants. Asking for pledges by June 2018. According to its new Plastics Strategy, the EU executive will work to ensure that all plastic packaging placed on the internal market is either reusable or easily recyclable by 2030.. By the same year, the Commission hopes that more than a half of all plastic waste will be recycled, thanks to new effective waste collection programmes. Commission fact sheet on plastics in Europe . Vision for Europe includes new companies emerging that provide circular solution to disposal of plastic. Aim being to make it easier to process or remove these substances during recycling. In January 2018, the European Commission published its European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy ; this followed the broader EU Action Plan for a circular economy released end 2015. Developed criteria to improve recyclablity of plastics in its Ecolabel and Green Public Procurement criteria. Learn more about recycling rates in the EU. We are not only a research project, but also an intervention which takes into account the transformations triggered by a … Finalise the authorisation procedure for over a hundred safe recycling processes. Legislation restricting lightweight plastics bags was adopted by Parliament in 2015. The strategy calls for all plastic packaging on the EU market to be either reusable or recyclable in a cost-effective manner by 2030. Too often, according to the Commission, the way plastics are currently produced, used and discarded fail to capture the economic benefits of a more circular approach. They are also proposing that companies release less micro-plastics when producing products such as textiles, tyres, paint and cigarette butts. Goals for plastic recycling cost EUR 8.4-16.6 billion – create an enabling framework for investment and innovation. Taking a … EU PLASTICS STRATEGY. MEPs called for a ban on intentionally added micro-plastics in cosmetics, personal care products, detergents and cleaning products by 2020. Sustainability is the underlying motivation behind the plastics strategy with a goal of addressing how plastics are designed, used and recycled in the EU. Under REACH restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics – request European Chemicals Agency to review the scientific basis for this. Formal adoption of single-use plastics directive by European Council. Finance research and innovation projects on better identification of contaminants and on decontamination of plastic waste through Horizon 2020. The Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive 2019. They will boost competitiveness by providing new revenue streams for farmers, by connecting farmers The European Commission launched the Single-Use Plastics Directive in 2018. It is also part of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan adopted in December 2015 and aimed at turning Europe into a more sustainable, circular economy. - Europe leader in sorting and recycling equipment, © Copyright British Plastics Federation 2021, Plastics: A Vision for a Circular Economy, EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy - communication, EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy - staff working document, EU Strategy for plastics in the Circular Economy - brochure, Factsheets on the strategy for plastics in a circular economy, Factsheet - changing the way we use plastics, Other 2018 Circular Economy Action Plan initiatives, Hi-Cone Gains Strength in the Spanish Market Helping Its Customers Meet Their Goals, Transparent Certified Renewable Content, Carbon Neutral Packaging Film, Ricoh 3D launches powder-based 3D composite, Technology to solve the global plastics problem becomes reality as construction begins in the North East, Industrial Plastics Welding & Fabrication Group, Masterbatch and Technical Compounds Group. Implementing the EU plastic strategy and the Single Use Plastics Directive will push the EU in this direction by reducing plastic waste with low value and high environmental impact, while improving the quality of plastic waste.