Subtopic 3: EU Strategy for plastic

What is the EU proposal for microplastics?

According to an ECA review (2020), it is suggested to limit the use of deliberately incorporated microplastics. The proposed restriction would include synthetic polymer microparticles that are smaller than 5 mm and fiber-like particles that are smaller than 15 mm, which are intentionally used in products and have the potential to be released into the environment.

Did the EU ban microplastics?

The European Commission introduced legislation to ban intentionally added microplastics, in particular in cosmetics. This is good news because pollution with microplastics is irreversible and potentially harmful to human and environmental health.

Source: Pacheco (2020)

What is the EU plastics action plan?

The European Union has developed a plastics strategy that aims to improve the way plastic products are created, utilized, and recycled in order to mitigate their negative impact on the environment and human health. As part of the Green Deal, the goal is to recycle 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030, which will require the development of more recyclable plastic designs, as well as measures to stimulate the market for recycled plastic.

These measures could include:

• Creating quality standards for secondary plastics;
• Encouraging certification in order to increase the trust of both industry and consumers;
• Introducing mandatory rules on minimum recycled content in certain products;
• Encouraging EU countries to consider reducing VAT on recycled products.

The European Parliament also backed the restriction of lightweight plastic bags in the EU in 2015.