Just this once - the proposal for a directive presented on Monday 28 May by the European Commission to reduce the use of single use plastic products in order to protect the oceans and to encourage European innovation (see EUROPE 12028) was applauded unanimously. This, however, does not prevent hopes of improvement expressed by environmental NGOs, industry and political groups in their response to the Parliament.
The NGO Oceana immediately welcomed the “major move to tackle the ocean litter crisis”, saying that the ban proposed for ten products (cotton buds, straws, plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, etc;) represent, with fishing gear, 70% of plastic waste found on beaches and will reduce production. “The only way to stop plastics pouring into our oceans is to turn off the flow at its source: production”, said Oceana Europe Chief Executive Lasse Gustavsson.
In a press release, the WWF “applauded” the proposal as “an essential step in the right direction”, while stressing the need, at national level, to adopt ambitious reductions targets for items for which the Commission does not explicitly propose a member state ban. The NGO considers stricter measures should have been taken for fishing gear. Measures as simple as clear labelling on such gear could have a significant impact to reduce the amount of gear abandoned and could prevent illegal fishing, the NGO states. It considers, however, that the Commission is sending a good signal to fishing gear producers by indicating that they will have to bear the cost of collecting old nets in port reception facilities.
On behalf of the ALDE Group in Parliament, Frédérique Ries of Belgium, who is to be the rapporteur on this issue, said: “The European Commission has clearly committed itself to a very broad and ambitious policy of protecting the environment, the seas and the oceans, which I strongly welcome”. She also invited the member states to address the matter and said she will be working “with all relevant industrial sectors, NGOs, fellow MEPs and EU governments to enhance these proposals”. In a joint press release, ministers Nicolas Hulot and Brune Poirson of France said it hailed the “Commission’s ambitious proposals”.
The S&D group commended the proposal as a crucial pillar in efforts to reduce waste in the move towards the circular economy, but would like “clear objectives for reducing specific single-use plastic products”, said Kathleen Van Brempt.
Ska Keller and Martin Haüsling said on behalf of the Greens/EFA that their group reiterated its wish to look at what is contained in plastic products in order to ban hazardous chemical substances (see EUROPE 12025).
PlasticsEurope, which represents the European plastics industry, said it supported the general aim of the directive to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. Nonetheless, it urged the Commission to “avoid shortcuts and to focus on improving waste management”, which requires appropriate structures. PlasticsEurope is also in favour of supporting innovation for “mindful” product design and public awareness raising campaigns leading to responsible consumption and an understanding that waste is a resource. “The ban on plastic products is not the solution and will not bring about the structural change required for building the foundations of a sustainable and efficient economy in the use of resources”, the organisation stresses in a press release. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)