EU outlines strategy to tackle plastic waste

The EU has outlined a strategy to tackle plastic waste that aims to reduce consumption of single-use plastics, restrict intentional use of microplastics and make all plastic packaging in the EU market recyclable by 2030.

The European Commission will develop rules to change the way plastic packaging products are designed, to improve their recyclability.

Almost 60pc of European plastic-converting companies surveyed recently by the trade association EuPC reported they find it hard or very hard to get a supply of acceptable quality recycled plastic. EuPC identified this as the largest barrier to greater use of recycled plastic as a raw material in Europe.

The commission said higher demand for recycled plastics should lead to improved and scaled-up recycling facilities which, alongside a better and standardised system for waste collection and sorting, will make recycling more profitable.

The commission has also launched a public consultation to determine the scope of rules to curb use of single-use plastics and fishing gear, and will take measures to restrict the use of microplastics.

New rules on port reception facilities are proposed to tackle marine litter. These include measures to reduce the administrative burden on ports, ships and competent authorities and ensure waste generated on ships or gathered at sea is returned to land and adequately managed.

The commission has pledged to devote €100mn ($122mn) of financing by 2020 for development of smarter and more recyclable plastic materials, more efficient recycling processes and the removal of contaminants from recycled plastics.

Europeans generate 25mn t/yr of plastic waste, the commission said, with less than 30pc collected for recycling.

"If we do not change the way we produce and use plastics, there will be more plastics than fish in our oceans by 2050", commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans said. "We need to invest in innovative new technologies that keep our citizens and our environment safe whilst keeping our industry competitive".