New EU rules on single-use plastics drive growth and jobs

There will be new EU standards to reduce single-use plastics and to increase recycling. Negotiators of the European Parliament and the Member States agreed on the new Directive early this morning. "Europe is going ahead with innovative standards. We need to contain plastics waste in the environment and raise the awareness that so-called waste is often a valuable resource", said Karl-Heinz Florenz MEP who is the EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur on the new Directive to reduce plastics waste.

"The EU is the first region in the world to introduce a partial ban on single-use plastics. We need to take the chance of leading the technology of innovative waste reduction. Europe has the potential for sustainable growth and jobs in this sector. Containing waste is a prime example of the added value of Europe. Together we can make a difference. One single Member State can't", said the EPP Group MEP.

The new measures include a ban on plastic cutlery, plates, straws and swizzle sticks as from 2021. Member States must reduce the amount of drinking cups made of plastics or containing plastics as from 2022. Plastic bottles must be collected and recycled, 77 percent of which by 2025 and 90 percent in 2029. "Now it is up to the Member States to implement the standards. We have taken care of the feasibility of the measures", Florenz concluded.