The EU proposes a ban on disposable plastic products such as straws and tableware to solve the "plastic garbage" problem

Bywiley photo

While importance is being placed on dealing with the increasing problem of plastic waste, the European Union (EU) obliges the prohibition of disposable products such as plastic dishes, straws and cotton buds, and collection of 90% of plastic bottles We announced the proposal.

European Union moves to ban single-use plastics
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/28/european-union-moves-to-ban-single-use-plastics.html

Plastic ban: Europe plans to phase out plastic cutlery, straws and more
http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/28/news/europe-plastic-ban-proposal/index.html

Since plastic products made from petrole are strong in molecular structure, it takes a long time from hundreds of years to thousands of years before decomposition with natural force like paper or wood. For this reason, plastic waste that was discarded without being recycled continues to stay in the environment as it is, and in the sea the fish that swallowed a plastic bag dies, and fine plastic particles"Microplastic" was in the stomach of fish in 73% of the Atlantic Ocean and Middle Deep Sea AquiferIt is clarified that plastics that are no longer being thrown into a part of the food chain of the living beings anymore.

The EU who has severely observed this situation has considered new efforts. And on 28 May 2018 on local time, the European Commission (EC), the administrative executive body of the EU, announced a new draft regulation governing the banning and collection of problematic plastic products.

European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - Single-use plastics: New EU rules to reduce marine litter
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3927_en.htm


Items of regulation in this draft are such as "prohibition of plastic use in specific products", "consumption reduction target", "manufacturer's responsibility", "recovery target", "necessary display items", "measures for raising awareness" There are examples of targeted products in each item.


Included in the proposal in this draft are cotton swabs, cutlery such as forks and spoons, dishes such as dishes, straws, muddler mixing drinks, and handles attached to balloons. Since these products already have replacement products already in the stage of practical use, it is felt to forcefully stop using them. Also, strict content is included, including obliging Member States to implement measures to realize 90% collection of PET bottles by 2025.

Bywww.hbfotografic.com

Items listed and their contents are as follows.

· Prohibition of use of plastic in specific products
When alternatives are readily available and at realistic prices, disposable plastic products are banned from the market. Prohibited things such as plastic cotton swabs, cutlery, plates, straws, muddlers for drinks, handles that can be attached to balloons. All must be produced using only sustainable materials. A plastic disposable drink container can be put on the market if the cap and the lid are kept attached.

· Consumption reduction target
Member States must reduce the use of plastic food containers and drinking cups. It is assumed that a country's reduction targets are set, making alternative products available at the point of sale, or preventing disposable plastic products from being provided free of charge.

· Manufacturer's responsibility
Producers must take measures to raise their consciousness by burdening the costs of disposing and cleaning food containers and packaging materials, drink containers and cups, filtered tobacco products, wet tissues, balloons, plastic bags, etc. The industry is given incentives to develop low polluting substitutes.

· Collection target
Member countries are obligated to recover 90% of disposable plastic drink bottles (such as plastic bottles) by 2025. For this, there is a method of adding a deposit (deposit) at the time of sale and refunding it at the time of collection.

· Required display matter
Specific products require clear and standardized indications of how to dispose of waste, adverse effects on the environment of the product, and the presence of plastic in the product. Applicable targets are sanitary products, wet tissues, balloons and so on.

· Measures for raising awareness
Member countries are obliged to raise consumer awareness about the negative impact of disposing of disposable plastics and fishing gear and the reuse system and waste management options for all these products.

In announcing the draft, EC vice-chairman Timmermans, 1st vice chairman, said, "Plastic waste is a big problem and in order to tackle this problem both European countries need to act together.Waste plastic waste is air, soil, ocean In the end, we go into the food we eat, "he says.

In the latest science, enzymes that can dissolve PET bottles are discovered, and technology that seems to be part of the plastic garbage cancellation problem is also born.

It turned out that enzymes capable of decomposing plastic bottles were coincidentally produced at the laboratory facility - GIGAZINE