Parliament to vote on throwaway plastics ban
A ban on the sale of single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery or cotton buds, making up over 70% of marine litter, will be put to a vote on Wednesday.
The new law will forbid the sale of single-use plastic products such as cutlery, cotton bud sticks, plates, straws, beverage stirrers and balloon sticks within the EU from 2021.
MEPs from the Environment Committee have added very lightweight plastic bags, products made of oxo-degradable plastics and fast-food containers made of expanded polystyrene to the list of banned products.
They also introduce reduction measures to cover waste from tobacco products, in particular cigarette filters containing plastic, and lost or abandoned fishing gear.
Procedure: Ordinary legislative procedure
Debate: Monday, 22 October
Vote: Wednesday, 24 October
Press conference: Wednesday, 24 October at 15.00