The Strasbourg Assembly has given the green light to a ban on the use of single-use plastic items where reasonable alternatives exist.
The European Parliament approved by an overwhelming majority-at its plenary session on Oct. 24.10.18-the proposed EU directive dedicated to Single-Use Plastics‘ (SUPs). (1) Negotiations will now begin with the Council and the Commission to finalize an agreement on the final text.
‘
We adopted the most ambitious legislation
Against single-use plastics. It is now up to us to continue the course of the upcoming negotiations with the Council, which should begin as early as November. Today’s vote paves the way for an imminent and ambitious directive. It is essential to protect the marine environment and reduce the costs of environmental damage attributed to plastic pollution in Europe, estimated at 22 billion euros by 2030′ (Frédérique Ries, Belgian MEP, ALDE Group, rapporteur)
Single-use plastics, why Enough!
Plastics
makes up more than 80 percent of the waste in the sea
. It slowly decomposes to flow into waters, residue in sea salt (2) and be absorbed by fish, mollusks and mammals.
The
microplastics
have become part of our daily diet
, however careful our choices may be. And 70 percent of plastic marine litter, according to European Commission estimates, comes from the very items whose use the new directive aims to ban, or at least limit. (3)
Single-use plastics, the SUPs directive.
The SUPs directive aims to reduce the pollution of the seas by plastics because it is, as mentioned above, uncontrolled in many ways to date. And the human health effects that microplastics may produce-in the short, medium and long term-as a result of their inevitable ingestion by individuals is yet to be predicted.
‘The smallest microplastic particles
are able to enter the bloodstream, the lymphatic system and can even reach the liver’ (Philipp Schwabl, researcher, Medical University of Vienna)
The proposed legislation places the European Union in the vanguard, in managing a concrete as well as invaluable risk to human health. This was also the case in the area of food safety in the early 2000s, when reforms initiated by Europe led to a significant rise in ‘food safety’ standards. And the Old Continent’s example–based on the inextricably linked principles of risk analysis and prevention–has set the world by storm. (4)
The UAS Directive
is, moreover, part of the broader context of the environmental policy pursued by Brussels in recent years, under the aegis of the so-called
circular economy
. With the goal of reforming every strategy for the production and use of different sets of materials by applying a precise waste hierarchy (prevention, readiness for reuse, reuse and recycling, energy valorization, disposal). (5)
SUPs Directive, which objects to ban and which to subject to use restrictions
Some single-use plastic items for which there are alternatives-such as cutlery, plates, cotton swizzle sticks, beverage stirrers, and balloon rods-will have to be banned from sales in the EU starting in 2021. The list of items to be banned was also compiled taking into account the actual availability of alternatives with less environmental impact, such as paper straws and cardboard wrappers.
The European Parliament, in its plenary vote, then supplemented the list of plastics to be banned (as already approved by its Environment Committee, which was responsible for reporting on the proposal), adding:
– the lightweight plastic bags,
– oxodegradable plastic items (e.g., bags and packaging),
– The expanded polystyrene fast-food containers.
As for plastic items that still lack environmentally friendly alternatives-such as single-use hamburger and sandwich boxes, fruit and vegetable containers, and dessert or ice cream tubs-member states will have to ensure a reduction in consumption of no less than 25 percent, by 2025.
The plastic bottles and their lids-which now account for about 20 percent of plastic waste at sea, according to the European Parliament report-will have to be collected for recycling at a rate of no less than 90 percent. By 2025, under the responsibility of member states, which should also develop national plans to encourage the use of products suitable for multiple use, reuse and recycling.
Cigarette filters and plastic tobacco waste-the second most common single-use plastic items in waste-will in turn need to be reduced (-50% by 2025, -80% by 2030). Note well that a cigarette butt can pollute between 500 and 1,000 liters of water and, if thrown into the street, can take up to twelve years to disintegrate.
Lost or abandoned fishing gear containing plastic-which accounts for 27 percent of the waste found on European beaches-will have to be collected by member states, at least 50 percent each year. With a recycling target of at least 15 percent by 2025.
SUPs directive, there are those who row against
It is regrettable to note that the fiercest criticism of the proposed directive under consideration has come from precisely a small group of Italian MEPs. At a conference in Brussels, ‘Business Solution To Prevent Single-use plastic Waste in the environment,’ a few days before the plenary vote.
Some Italian MEPs from Forza Italia, PD and Lega had alleged that plastic pollution comes mainly from 10 rivers in Asia, Africa and South America. Therefore, Europe should not be in a hurry to save the Mediterranean Sea, in their view. All the more so considering that EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has not yet commented on the risks of microplastics to human health.
Nicola Caputo, a PD MEP, had gone so far as to say that ‘the directive addresses a just battle – the reduction of plastics in the environment – but uses inadequate tools and surfaces with a haste motivated only by the approaching election deadline next spring.’ But he was then forced to vote in favor of the proposal. According to the stable order of the S&D(Socialists and Democrats) group, from which only Luigi Morgano (abstained) escaped.
Instead, Forza Italia and the League voted against the directive, siding with the Plastics Europe lobby and Pro.mo (Disposable Plastic Tableware Manufacturers Group).
We recall their names, in view of the upcoming European elections:
– Lorenzo Cesa, Alberto Cirio, already known for a pro-palm oil initiative, Lara Comi, Elisabetta Gardini, Giovanni La Via, Innocenzo Leontini, Massimiliano Salini (EPP, European People’s Party),
– Mara Bizzotto, Mario Borghezio, Angelo Ciocca, Giancarlo Scottà, Marco Zanni (ENF, Europe of Nations and Freedom).
Microplastics in the human body, Austrian research
The Austrian Environment Agency has fueled new concerns, in a very recent study revealing the presence of polymer residues in human feces. As many as nine types of polymers out of the ten varieties tested, ranging in size from 50 to 500 micrometers (where a human hair is about 100 micrometers thick). The most common ones? Polypropylene, a common component of plastic food wrappers (and synthetic fabrics), and polyethylene terephthalate, a polymer from which bottles are made.
‘This is the first study of its kind and confirms what we have long suspected, that the plastic eventually reaches the human gut,’ explained Philipp Schwabl, a researcher at the Medical University of Vienna as well as coordinator of the research. ‘Now that we have the first evidence that microplastics are also present in humans; we need more research to understand what this means for health‘.
Austrian researchers speculate on a possible correlation of microparticles with certain intestinal diseases, as well as their possible influence on the immune response of the digestive system. Not to mention the risk that they may carry toxic substances into the human body. Indeed, it has been shown that heavy metals and toxic substances such as PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) often bind to the surface of microplastics found in the sea.
Dario Dongo and Luca Foltran
Notes
(1) The proposed regulation was approved by 571 votes in favor, 53 against and 34 abstentions
(3) See in this regard EC press release 28.5.18, at
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-3909_en.htm
(4) For more on this topic, please refer to our free eBook ‘
Food safety, mandatory rules and voluntary standards
‘, at
https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/libri/sicurezza-alimentare-regole-cogenti-e-norme-volontarie-il-nuovo-libro-di-dario-dongo
(5) In line with the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) defined in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly(Goal 12, Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Goal 14, Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Goal 17, Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development)
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Expert in packaging and materials intended to come into contact with food substances and related legislative changes. He manages the information site foodcontactmaterials.info on European and extra-European regulations in the field of materials intended for contact with food.
