On December 15, 2017, the European Commission (EC) launched a public consultation on “Reducing marine litter: Action on single use plastics and fishing gear.” Comments can be submitted until February 12, 2018 via an online questionnaire. “Plastics make up 85% of beach litter,” the EC explains in the introduction to the questionnaire, and “single use items represent 61% . . . of these plastic items.” Examples include food contact materials (FCMs) such as drinking bottles and their caps or lids, bags, crisps packets, sweets wrappers, straws, stirrers, food containers, cups and cup lids, and cutlery. Therefore, the EC’s Plastic Strategy (FPF reported) in early 2018 will address actions on single-use plastics to reduce marine litter.
Read more
EC (December 15, 2017). “Reducing marine litter: action on single use plastics and fishing gear.”
Chemical Watch (January 15, 2017). “EU opens consultation on plastic marine litter.“
