MEPs back ban on throwaway plastics by 2021 – Boylan

The European Parliament today approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws, plastics balloon sticks and cotton bud sticks made of plastic. 

They are to be banned in the EU by 2021.  

The new law also sets a 90% (ninety percent) collection target for plastic bottles by 2029. And it states that recycled materials should make up twenty five percent (25%) of each plastic bottle by 2025. That’s to increase to thirty percent 30% by 2030.

The agreement also strengthens the application of the polluter pays principle. This new regime will also apply to fishing gear, to ensure that manufacturers, and not fishermen, bear the costs of collecting nets lost at sea.

The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan welcomed today’s vote but she says much more needs to be done to reduce plastic waste.

Out words: first step 

Dur: 00:31