Relevant data show that 1 million plastic bags are used every minute in the world, and up to 8 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year. The ubiquitous plastic waste has become a huge disaster for the earth's home. In December 2015, the European Commission adopted the EU circular economy action plan, and plastic recycling is one of the key projects. In 2017, the European Commission further proposed to focus on the production and use of recyclable plastics and strive to achieve the goal that all plastic packaging can be recycled by 2030.
As a member of the European Commission, Greece has performed poorly in plastic recycling. The Greek industrial times reported that about 40000 tons of plastic were buried by the Greek industrial times every year. To this end, Greece will pay a fine of 127 million euros to the EU this year.
On the one hand is plastic recycling, on the other hand is to reduce the use of plastic as much as possible. From this month, Italy also officially banned the sale of disposable plastic products. The ban covers all non biodegradable plastic products, which means that people have to bid farewell to disposable plastic plates, tableware, cotton swabs and other goods forever.
According to the European times, Italy's plastic limit orders include disposable dishes, tableware, straw, cotton swabs, beverage mixing rods, balloon plastic poles and other oxidated degradable plastics (after oxidation decomposition will become micro plastics). Some special polystyrene foam food containers, beverage containers, cups and covers are prohibited from sale. Violators will be fined between 2500 and 25000 euros. At the same time, the Italian government will also give preferential policies to companies that use recyclable, soil fertilizer or biodegradable goods. These companies can receive tax credit benefits of up to 3 million euros a year for three years.
In addition, many countries have begun to increase plastic ban this year.
From January 1 this year, France banned plastic packaging of fruits and vegetables and banned the sale of fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5kg in plastic packaging;
The UK will also ban the use of plastic straws, plastic mixers and plastic cotton swabs this year, but those used for medical purposes can be exempted temporarily;
The Swedish government has formulated 55 measures, including a new goal, that is, by 2030, plastic packaging contains more than 30% of renewable raw materials on average. Another measure is that from January 2024, fast food or beverage companies selling disposable packaging should provide customers with recyclable mugs or lunch boxes;
Plastic packaging in Germany will work together to protect the planet from plastic pollution.
