Adopting the own-initiative report of Belgium's Mark Demesmaeker (ECR) by an overwhelming majority (597 votes to 15 and 25 abstentions), the European Parliament has endorsed the EU plastics strategy, presented by the Commission in January to ensure that by 2030, all plastic packaging will be reusable or recyclable (see EUROPE 11974, 11941). However, the Parliament wants to go further.
Given the scale of the problem for the oceans, the fact that 31% of plastic waste in the EU still goes into landfill and that China has started to refuse to take European waste, the Parliament considers that there is a prime opportunity to increase plastic recycling rates, innovate and create a genuinely stable single market for secondary raw materials.
Among the key measures, the MEPs recommend a complete ban on oxo-degradable plastics by 2020, as this substance does not fully biodegrade, cannot be composted and negatively influences the recycling of conventional plastics.
They are also calling for a ban on micro-plastics in cosmetics and detergents by 2020.
The range of solutions discussed is based on prevention, incentives to collect marine waste, new European standards and definitions of biodegradability and compostability and public awareness to encourage a change in behaviour.
“My report is not a plea against plastic, but a plea for a circular plastic economy, in which we deal with plastic in a sustainable and responsible way, so that we can stop its harmful effects and preserve the value in the chain. To succeed, we must use this strategy as a lever of circular production and consumption models. We need to deliver tailor-made solutions, as there are no passe-partout solutions. And we must work together across the entire value chain”, Demesmaeker summed up.
The MEPs call upon the Commission to present quality standards for recycled plastic that will inspire confidence and encourage the market in these secondary materials. They consider that the Commission should take account of the various categories of recycling compatible with the functions of the various products whilst maintaining safety, when plastic is recycled and used in food containers, for instance. The member states should look at reducing VAT on products containing recycled materials.
The Commission and the member states are called upon to encourage their fishing industries to collect plastic waste at sea and return it to port.
The Parliament also suggests assessing the possibility of extending the producers' enlarged responsibility system at European level, to improve the rate of sorting and recycling.
Concerning the interface between legislations on chemical substances, products and waste, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Jyrki Katainen, told the MEPs the day before the vote that the public consultation would conclude at the end of October. The Commission will then look at the most effective ways to move forward. “It is not enough to focus on hazardous chemical substances in food products. There are also dangers resulting from misuse of plastics”, he said, announcing that the Commission was looking into around a hundred different decontamination methods. For batteries (both non-rechargeable and rechargeable), the Commission is working on a database on substances of concern in the materials. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)