In order to prevent the proliferation of plastic waste, the European Parliament passed the "Disposable Plastic Directive" on July 3, 2021, aiming to ban the ten most common types of plastic found on European beaches by 2021. And significantly reduce the number of plastic cups and containers by 2028. Its measures are considered the most severe in the world, and have pushed the EU's recycling rate to an impressive 41.5%, which is three times the United States' recycling rate.
Background information
The plastic waste crisis is one of the most pressing environmental problems facing the world. The accelerated production and disposable consumerism after World War II prompted manufacturers to produce disposable plastics in the form of tableware, balloons and takeaway boxes. After use, these plastics usually pollute the ocean and endanger local wildlife, because wildlife can easily mistake microplastics for food. Some polymers may even take 200 to 400 years to degrade. From a global perspective, the degree of pollution is worrying.
1. The prohibited part
This directive is in line with waste recycling considerations, so it is included in the EU Plastics Strategy. The strategy aims to make all plastic packaging recyclable by 2030, ensuring that plastic products in use are not only recyclable, but also designed with a focus on pollution control. The ban covers ten single-use plastic (SUP) items, including cotton swabs, cutlery, straws, blenders, plates, polystyrene cups and food containers, oxidatively degradable plastic bags and balloon sticks. These items are targeted because they account for more than 80% of Europe’s marine debris.
Now, manufacturers, cafes and restaurants, and other food companies will need to switch to other non-plastic products. For example, bamboo cups or items made of cellulose or other biodegradable materials.
The European Commission expressed the hope that through this directive, by 2030, all remaining disposable plastics in circulation can be reused or recycled. However, the reality is not so optimistic.
2. Restricted part
Not all single-use plastic products are completely banned in the directive, some are just restricted. These include fishing gear, some SUP bags, bottles and "ready-to-eat" beverage or food containers, as well as small bags, wrapping paper, tobacco filters, hygiene products and wet wipes.
According to the directive, producers must "restrict use" and be responsible for "preventing littering." They need to follow labeling guidelines and pay the price for pollution. In the future, companies must also launch promotional activities and innovate more sustainable product designs.
Fishing gear is also listed in the restricted section and has not been banned, and politicians and the public are increasingly aware of the role of commercial fishing in plastic pollution. Within the EU alone, more than 11,000 tons of discarded fishing gear pollute the ocean every year, accounting for about 27% of beach litter.
From 2022, EU countries will be obliged to further report the number of fishing gear they have managed to recover. By the end of 2024, countries will need to set a "national minimum annual collection rate" for recycled fishing gear for recycling.
3. Covid-19 disposables not yet banned
SUP related to medical applications can be exempted by law, including things like surgical masks and gloves.
Some environmentalists have begun to criticize the lack of solutions in this area, especially as imports of medical plastics continue to surge. In the first six months of the pandemic alone, about 170,000 tons of plastic masks entered the EU market. Local production of medical disposables has also soared.
Justin Mallot of the non-profit organization Zero Waste Europe said in an interview with Deutsche Welle: "It is worth noting that the directive on disposable plastics does not even apply to disposable plastic products used by the health sector, such as disposable gloves, protective clothing and masks."
4. Potential problems in the definition of plastics
Another criticism of the directive is that it leaves potential loopholes for manufacturers. This is because of the confusing set of definitions used by the European Union in the guidelines.
Aaron Kent, the founder of Please Drink Responsably, explained to us why this problem occurred. "They are trying to define plastic in a legal sense, that is, what exact characteristics make a material plastic. But when trying to write it down, their definition accidentally captured the material they wanted to promote”. He explained. This means that things like paper may eventually be banned according to the rules, even if it is better for the environment than plastic.
This is why the rules eventually made exceptions for certain materials. "Then the definition becomes longer. Each additional clause opens a new line for additional inclusions and exceptions."
What Kent said would actually help if the EU allowed its ban to cover materials that would cause more waste to accumulate.
Francesco Degli Innocenti, director of ecology at the Italian biomaterials company Novamont, expressed this view in his analysis of this issue: "There are loopholes in the definition of [this plastic]. The text is too long and ridiculous. We need to move from prohibiting the use of [this plastic] to banning materials that may cause the accumulation of persistent solid waste in the environment."
5. The possibility of hindering innovation
Also due to the definition of the term "plastic" in the ban, the single-use ban currently envisaged by the EU may stifle attempts to develop sustainable solutions to address plastic waste. Because the term includes not only fossil-based plastics, but also all chemically modified plastics-including the bio-based, biodegradable plastics that your factory runs. The definition in question is so broad that it technically extends to fried eggs, because the heating process causes a chemical change in the egg, resulting in a substance called "plastic" by the directive.
Bio-based bioplastics derived from plant materials such as corn starch are praised for not relying on fossil fuels, while biodegradable bioplastics that can be completely composted are promoted by "zero waste." Protecting limited resources by experimenting with these plastics is one way for the plastic packaging industry to make progress in its search for a sustainable future.
The new definition of plastics may hinder product innovation, especially considering that the next wave of relevant legislation that may introduce amendments will not expire until 2027.
Up to now, member states are working to expand the reform of producer responsibility, and individual countries are considering levying specific plastic packaging taxes.
Unless the above-mentioned countries unite to ensure the continued use of sustainable plastics, this new plastic system may lead to plastic cleaning, which may put manufacturers and customers in trouble.
