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DE 
NEWS: Disposable products made of single-use plastics have been banned throughout the EU since 03.07.2021. The basis for the ban is the European Single-Use Plastics Directive. The banned products include for example
- Disposable cutlery and plates,
- Drinking straws,
- Stir sticks,
- Cotton buds and
- Balloon sticks.
Other articles are also no longer to be placed on the market. These include, for example, to-go food containers and beverage containers made of polystyrene. Products made of oxo-degradable plastics will also be banned. Oxo-degradable plastics are plastics that, after use, quickly fragment under the influence of UV light and oxygen into very small particles that are no longer visible to the naked eye. Unlike biodegradable plastics, oxo-degradable plastics do not completely decompose and pollute the environment.
Banning the above-mentioned single-use plastics will make a significant contribution to improving our environment. According to an estimate by the Association of Municipal Enterprises, this waste accounts for approximately 20% of the waste generated in parks, public places and streets.
The products mentioned above can already be replaced by more environmentally friendly materials today. However, this is currently not yet possible for all disposable plastic products. Since 03.07.2021, particularly environmentally harmful disposable products must therefore be provided with a warning notice clearly recognisable on their packaging in the form of a pictogram with textual additions. These products include for example
- Hygiene products, such as sanitary pads, tampons and tampon applicators, and wet wipes,
- Tobacco products with plastic-containing filters or plastic-containing filters for use in tobacco products as well as
- Disposable beverage cups.
The bans apply throughout the EU. In addition, the import of banned products or unlabelled products from non-EU countries will be prohibited in future.
Further parts of the Single-Use Plastics Directive will be implemented in the Packaging Act. Among other things, a mandatory deposit will apply to all single-use plastic beverage bottles and cans from 01.01.2022. In addition, from 01.01.2023 there will be an obligation to offer reusable packaging for most plastic to-go packaging.
Image source: istock.com/Mukhina1
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