China news network October 25, according to the European Times reported, a few days ago, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly through a proposal to ban the use of all EU member states, including straws, plastic tableware and a series of disposable plastic products, so as to reduce plastic waste pollution of the sea.

Data map: local time on March 3, 2018, a British man took a shocking scene when diving in the waters of Bali. There is a large amount of plastic waste floating in the ocean: bottles, bags, cups, buckets, straws, etc., which fish and other Marine life avoid. Photo source: Visual China

It is reported that the European Commission's proposal to ban single-use plastic products was approved by a high vote in the first reading of the European Parliament, with 571 votes in favor, 53 votes against and 34 abstentions. The proposal plans to ban a series of single-use plastic products that have been replaced by other materials within the EU by 2021. For other single-use plastic products that have no ideal alternatives, the European Parliament also calls for a 25% reduction in their use by 2025; Cigarette filter paper containing plastic will be cut by 50%.

In its first reading review, the European Parliament also recommended that member states should increase the material recycling rate of single-use plastic bottles to 90% by 2025. The recycling rate of plastic fishing nets in the ocean should also be increased to 50%.

According to diplomatic circles in Brussels, EU environment ministers are aiming to reach a consensus on the issue by the end of the year, after which representatives of national parliaments, governments and the European Commission could begin formal negotiations. The European Parliament hopes to have a bill in place before parliamentary elections in May 2019. After an EU-level bill is introduced, national governments must translate it into a China law within two years to implement it. This means that single-use products such as straws and plastic cutlery will no longer be available in Europe by the summer of 2021.

Data from the European Commission show that the EU produces 26 million tons of plastic waste every year, an average of 31.1 kilograms per person. Germany produces 37.4kg of plastic per person, significantly higher than the EU average. Less than a third of plastic is recycled.

The European Commission pointed out that most of the plastic waste into the ocean, 85 percent of Marine litter is plastic. About half of this is single-use, and a quarter comes from fishing. Because of our position at the top of the food chain, a lot of microplastics also end up hidden in food.

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