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PolskiSubtopic 3: What can we do to help with plastic pollution?
It is difficult to envision a future where we do not rely on single-use plastics as our consumption habits continue to grow. Despite this, significant progress has been made in the development of alternatives to plastic and the implementation of circular economy practices in our products. These advancements suggest a potential reduction in the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans, as well as an increase in the recycling of plastics for manufacturing other products.
Source: European Parliament Service
Reduce, reuse, recycle,
While recycling has improved over time, the sheer amount of plastic waste generated makes it impossible to recycle everything. To deal with this issue, thousands of tons of plastic waste are being exported between countries each year, which has led to waste problems in places like China and Malaysia. Unfortunately, China has now stopped accepting any more plastic waste. In addition to recycling, there is a need to reduce and reuse waste wherever possible. A major area where improvements can be made is in reducing the use of single-use plastics, which are a common sight in various waterways. For example, choosing reusable coffee cups and drink bottles can help reduce the amount of single-use plastic. Furthermore, an additional measure is the plastic bag charge, introduced in 2015 in Europe, and the use of reusable canvas or straw bags, instead of relying on heavy-duty plastic bags.
An alternative method of minimizing the use of disposable plastic is to opt for unpackaged fruits and vegetables while shopping at supermarkets, rather than purchasing those that come pre-packaged in plastic bags. Several supermarkets and local stores are introducing more packaging-free alternatives. Moreover, there is a growing number of zero-waste stores that sell unpackaged food and household goods, thus enabling customers to bring their reusable containers.
The government is taking action to decrease the usage of single-use plastic by prohibiting the sale of major contributors to the problem. Starting from July 3rd, 2021, the European Union Member States are prohibited from selling single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, and cotton buds (European Commission, 2021). While paper alternatives are accessible, it may be worth exploring the possibility of doing away with them altogether.
The importance of beach cleanups for protecting the oceans from plastics pollution
Across EU nations, there are numerous events scheduled regularly where volunteers gather to collect plastic and litter from beaches. These beach cleanup initiatives are an efficient remedy to the escalating problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. By working together to gather and dispose of waste, beach cleanups not only eliminate visible debris but also raise awareness about plastic pollution, motivate people to adopt reusable products, and reduce the danger of marine life getting choked or entangled. Beach cleanups have a favorable impact on coastal communities, safeguard delicate marine ecosystems, and foster better knowledge and attitudes towards vulnerable marine environments. By participating in beach cleanup initiatives, we can all contribute to preserving and shielding marine life from the perils of pollution from plastics.
EU solutions to increase plastic recycling rates
The European Commission proposed a plan in May 2018 to tackle plastic marine litter, which involves banning the top 10 single-use plastics found on European beaches starting from July 3, 2021. In line with the Green Deal, the EU aims to recycle 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030, which would require better product designs for recyclability. However, MEPs argue that additional measures are necessary to encourage the market for recycled plastic.
The following actions can be taken to address the issue:
- Implementation of quality standards for secondary plastics.
- Promotion of certification to build trust among consumers and the industry.
- Establishment of mandatory rules on minimum recycled content in specific products.
- Encouragement of EU member states to reduce VAT on recycled products.
Plastics in the ocean. Source: European Parliament (2023)
In 2015, the European Parliament supported limiting the use of lightweight plastic bags in the EU and urged the Commission to take measures against microplastics. To address the problem of plastic marine litter, new regulations were introduced by the EU in June 2019, setting a target of 25% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Recently, in January 2023, the Parliament voted on the waste shipment rules, which aim to promote recycling and reduce pollution by prohibiting exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries and phasing out shipments to OECD countries within four years.