BALLOON STICKS
Under proposed new rules, sticks for balloons will all be banned along with the items below:
BAN
Plastic cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and sticks for balloons will all be banned. Single-use drinks containers made with plastic will only be allowed on the market if their caps and lids remain attached.
REDUCTION
EU member states will have to reduce the use of plastic food containers and drinks cups – typically by setting national reduction targets, charging extra or using alternatives.
TAX
Plastic companies will help cover the costs of waste management and clean-up, as well as awareness-raising measures for food containers, packets and wrappers (such as for crisps and sweets), drinks containers and cups, tobacco products with filters (such as cigarette butts), wet wipes, balloons, and lightweight plastic bags.
TARGETS
Member states will be obliged to collect 90% of single-use plastic drinks bottles by 2025, for example through bottle deposit refund schemes.
LABELLING
Clear labels on plastic products showing how they should be disposed, the negative environmental impact of the product, and the presence of plastics in the products. This will apply to sanitary towels, wet wipes and balloons.
AWARENESS
Member states will be obliged to educate the public about the negative impact of littering of single-use plastics and fishing gear, as well as about the available re-use systems and waste-management options for all these products.
FISHING GEAR
Producers of plastic fishing gear, which the Commission says accounts for 27% of all beach pollution, will be required to cover the costs of its collection and treatment. They will also cover the costs of public awareness campaigns.