Plastic waste

The European Parliament today adopted a report including a series of recommendations dealing with the problem of plastic in the environment. Commenting after the vote, Greens/EFA MEP Margrete Auken, the parliament's rapporteur/draftsperson for forthcoming EU legislation on single-use plastic bags, stated:

"Parliament has today made clear the need for the EU to do more to tackle the pervasive problem of plastic waste and its impact on health and the environment.

"With crucial legislation on single-use plastic bags in the legislative process, this report provides a strong signal to this end, calling for a radical reduction and where possible a phase-out of plastic bags. These bags are very low-hanging fruit when it comes to reducing unnecessary plastic waste, and its impact on the environment. As a number of member states have already shown, the use of these bags can be significantly reduced with effective policy-making. While member states should be free to go further, there should be ambitious and obligatory European reduction targets and plastic bags should always come at a cost, otherwise plastic bag consumption will continue to grow. We will be trying to ensure the legislation is amended to this end.

"The EP has also today called for a phase out of oxo-biodegradable plastics, as well as of dangerous plastic materials and additives. We believe the upcoming EU legislation should also address these issues. The report adopted today also calls for the phase-out of certain phthalates and brominated flame retardants in electrical and electronic equipment, which is currently being assessed by the Commission."