Single-use plastic items such as straws, forks and knives as well as cotton buds will be banned in the European Union by 2021 following a vote by EU lawmakers on Wednesday (March 27).
Growing concerns about plastic pollution in oceans and stories of dead whales with plastic in their stomachs together with China’s decision to stop processing waste have pushed the EU to take more drastic steps to tackle the issue.
The European Parliament voted by a large majority of 560 to 35 in favour of banning 10 single-use plastics including plates, balloon sticks, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene and all products made of oxo-degradable plastic.
EU countries can choose their own methods of reducing the use of single-use plastics such as takeout containers and cups for beverages through alternative sources.
In Brussels, when Damien Hamelryk decided to open a snack restaurant in January he decided to use as little plastic as possible, part of his concept to avoid waste, including recycling old materials for the decoration and using only products when they’re in season, he said.
For the take-away cutlery and food containers, he works with PLA — a biodegradable plastic made either of corn or sugar cane, but he says the cost is high and reduces his margin.