Green Action (Zelena Akcija) has welcomed the adoption of the first European plastic strategy in its statement.
As DuList reports on the 20th of January, 2018, the very first strategy on tackling the growing problem of plastic pollution has been adopted at the European level.
”This strategy will make irresponsible (EU) member states implement a series of measures to eliminate a part of the plastic from our environment and our society, although a much more extensive fight against all forms of plastic is needed.
The European Commission announced its strategy on the 16th of January, 2018. Its main goals are to reduce the usage of disposable plastic, to limit the use of micro-plastics and to manufacture packaging that will be fully recyclable by 2030.
The adopted strategy will improve the way products are designed, produced, used and recycled within the European Union. The strategy’s results would include the possibility of complete recycling and the reduction of the use of one-time plastic packaging as well as the possibility of limiting the use of certain disposable plastic products. In addition, the results should also be the kickstarter of the creation of rules for biodegradable and composted plastics and a ban on oxo-plastic (which should be biodegradable but breaks into small pieces and remains within the environment).
“The new strategy is a clear signal to member states that we urgently need to take concrete measures to drastically reduce the usage and the production of plastic,” said Marko Košak, leader of the Waste Management Program from Green Action (Zelena Akcija), adding:
”We call upon the Ministry of Environment not to delay things, and to urgently implement concrete measures. This includes legal changes and educational and economic measures that will affect the reorientation of citizens and plastic producers to a viable and efficient alternative.
A concrete opportunity in the fight against plastic is the implementation of measures to discourage consumption by charging for, or banning all types of plastic bags, the destimulation of production through the introduction of fees for plastic producers, as well as economic incentives to produce sustainable solutions such as compostable bags and packaging.
It’s obvious that plastic is a material that has a huge negative impact on the environment and on society and that it isn’t necessary in view of the available viable alternatives. We’re sorry that the EU has only just understood this and wasn’t more ambitious, but we welcome the adoption of this strategy.
We call for its urgent implementation in practice, as well as upgrades over the coming years because there is still plenty of room for a more intense fight against plastic,” Košak concluded.
