On the fifth of June, we celebrate World Environment Day. Over the past five decades, that day has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach. 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day. Tens of millions of people take part, along with governments, companies, cities and community organisations. This year the host is Côte d'Ivoire in partnership with the Netherlands, and they will focus on solutions to counter plastic pollution with the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.

World Environment Day 2023 - English

Plastics are everywhere in our daily life: they are used in packaging, buildings, cars, electronics, agriculture and other sectors. On 3 July 2021, the EU ban on disposable plastics comes into effect. This will concern straws, cups, cutlery, plates, but also balloon rods.

Single-use plastic products are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. The impacts of this plastic waste on the environment and our health are global and can be drastic. Single-use plastic products are more likely to end up in our seas than reusable options.

The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU. According to the directive on single-use plastics where sustainable alternatives are easily available and affordable, single-use plastic products cannot be placed on the markets of EU Member States. This applies to cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and sticks for balloons.

It will also apply to cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastic. The EU aims to become a forerunner in the global fight against marine litter and plastic pollution. EU rules aim to reduce the volume and impact of certain plastic products on environment.

Plastics production is 20 times higher than in 1960s, and is forecast to almost quadruple by 2050. Although there are thousands of types of plastics, 90% of plastics are derived from virgin fossil fuels. About 6% of global oil consumption is used to produce plastics; by 2050, this share could reach 20%. In Europe, about 40% of post-consumer plastic waste is incinerated with energy recovery, and the rest is either landfilled or recycled. About half of the plastic waste collected and recycled is treated in the European Union; the other half is exported, mainly to China.

EU Strategy for Plastics and packaging

Oceans need to be managed sustainably in order to conserve our fragile marine ecosystems.

Although oceans are essential to us in many ways, the state of marine biodiversity remains little known. What we do know, however, is that human activities create a number of pressures such as (over-)exploitation, carbon emissions, and pollution, including marine litter.

It is estimated that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the world's seas and that, without significant action, there may be more plastic than fish (by weight) in the sea by 2050. Some marine litter consists of microplastics; these originate from the breaking down of larger plastic pieces or are released directly into the environment.

Ocean protection

On 27 March 2019, Parliament approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds.

A milestone success is the ban of single-use plastic products such as cutlery, cotton buds, plates, straws, beverage stirrers and balloon sticks which will be banned from the EU market from 2021.

#EUelections2019 - Single use plastics

EU countries are required to drastically reduce the use of the most common and polluting plastic bags under new rules voted by Parliament on 28 April 2015.

In 2010 EU citizens used an estimated 198 plastic carrier bags, some 90% of which were lightweight. Binding reduction targets were put in place. EU member states will be able to choose: either to take measures to reduce annual average consumption of plastic bags to 90 lightweight bags per citizen by the end of 2019 or 40 by the end of 2025. Since the end of 2018, no more light plastic bags are given to shoppers free of charge.

#EUelections2019 - Plastics bags

Oceans need to be managed sustainably in order to conserve our fragile marine ecosystems.

Although oceans are essential to us in many ways, the state of marine biodiversity remains little known. What we do know, however, is that human activities create a number of pressures such as (over-)exploitation, carbon emissions, and pollution, including marine litter. The European Union has been active in promoting the sustainable use of the seas. In early 2018, the European Commission presented a strategy to address the issue of plastics pollution, including microplastics in our seas.

Ocean protection (2019-2020)

EP Plenary session - Need to adopt an ambitious international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment

EP Plenary session - Preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Recent ecological catastrophe involving plastic pellet losses and its impact on micro plastic pollution in the maritime and coastal habitats

Press conference on the Net-Zero Industry Act

EP Plenary session - Packaging and packaging waste

Single plastics

EE 2019 - 2019 European Elections campaign photo toolkit - Plastic waste

Returnable single-use bottles in Germany

Plenary session - Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment

Plenary session- Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment

Plastic waste

Plastic cup ban to reduce single-use litter

Plastic straw ban to reduce single-use litter

EP Press conference. Single-use plastics

MEPs Strasbourg Cleanup action

Panel discussion on Business Solutions to Prevent Single-use Plastic Waste in the Environment

ENVI committee meeting.Vote on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment

EP Plenary session - Plastics Strategy and chemical, product and waste legislation

EP Plenary session - Voting session (part 1) incl. packaging waste and air quality

MEPs debate and adopt their position for negotiations with EU governments on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging in the EU. The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. This news item shows extracts from the debate and extracts from the votes on Packaging and packaging waste.

Packaging and packaging waste: extracts from the debate (21/11); and extracts from the votes

MEPs vote on Packaging and packaging waste, the report by Frédérique Ries (A9-0319/2023). The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags, unless required for hygiene reasons, and the use of intentionally added so called “forever chemicals” and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging.

Voting session: Packaging and packaging waste

MEPs debate and adopt their position for negotiations with EU governments on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging in the EU. The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags, unless required for hygiene reasons, and the use of intentionally added so called “forever chemicals” and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging. They also want consumers to be able to bring their own container for take-away food and drinks. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Nils TORVALDS (Renew, FI), Rapporteur.

Packaging and packaging waste: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Nils TORVALDS (Renew, FI), Rapporteur

MEPs debate and adopt their position for negotiations with EU governments on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging in the EU. The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags, unless required for hygiene reasons, and the use of intentionally added so called “forever chemicals” and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging. Opening statements by Nils TORVALDS (Renew, FI), Rapporteur, Patrizia TOIA (S&D, IT), ITRE Committee, Virginie JORON (ID,FR), IMCO Committee, and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EC for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Packaging and packaging waste: opening statements by Nils TORVALDS (Renew, FI), Rapporteur, Patrizia TOIA (S&D, IT), ITRE Committee, Virginie JORON (ID,FR), IMCO Committee, and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, EC for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

This infoclip illustrates the packaging and packaging waste regulation. The proposed regulation would apply to all packaging and to all packaging waste. It would set out requirements for substances in packaging (e.g. restrictions on the presence of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium). Furthermore, all packaging would have to be recyclable. Some packaging must be compostable by two years after the entry into force of the regulation (such as filter coffee pods and sticky labels attached to fruit and vegetables). Furthermore, packaging must be designed to minimise its weight and volume. The proposal would also introduce requirements for packaging to be considered reusable. The footage shows plastic and and recyclable packaging adn different efforts to reduce waste and encourage recycling.

Infoclip: Packaging and packaging waste

Each of us produces almost 180 kg of packaging waste in a year. This is 20 % more than a decade ago. 40 % of all the plastics and 50 % of all the paper used in the EU goes into packaging. This emits more CO2 than an average-sized EU country. On 30 November 2022, the Commission proposed to revise the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. This review contributes to reaching the objective of the European Green Deal and the new circular economy action plan to ensure that “all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030”. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

6 facts about packaging waste

In March 2019, European Parliament approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds sticks. On 3 July 2021, the ban of certain single-use plastic products enters into force. Frederique RIES (Renew, BE), rapporteur in 2019 of the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) gives a statement on the different measures becoming law.

End of single use plastics: statement by the rapporteur of the EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans each year. About three quarters of the marine litter in the world's seas is plastic. As from the 3rd of July 2021, according to the legislation adopted by the European Parliament in 2019, single use plastic items such as straws or plastic plates will be forbidden. This infoclip illustrates the uses of various sort of alternatives to single use plastics in fast-food and shopping.

Infoclip: Alternatives to single use plastics

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on how reduce ocean waste: the circular economy should be boosted through collecting, recycling and upcycling, and fishing gear should be designed in a more sustainable way. Extracts from the debate (24/03), from the vote (25/03), statement by Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR).

Impact on fisheries marine litter: statement by Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), Rapporteur, extracts from the debate and the vote

During the plenary session (24-25 March 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), rapporteur, gives a short presentation of his report on Impact on fisheries of marine litter. Follows a statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. (This transcription is a result of an authomatic process, please check against delivery).

Impact on fisheries of marine litter: report by Catherine CHABAUD (Renew, FR), and statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

This infoclip illustrates the EU Biodiversity Strategy in the franework of the European Green Deal programme: views of the Parc de Sainte Croix, in Rhodes (France), European pond turtles, coypu, brown bears, raccoon, griffon vulture, grey wolf. Views of the Mediterranean coast, views of the countryside; and planting trees initiative.

Infoclip: Green Deal - The EU Biodiversity Strategy

Live replay of the debate on Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment during the plenary session (25-28 March 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. MEPs debate, first round.

Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment: MEPs debate - First round (15:13 - 15:32)

Live replay of the debate on Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment during the plenary session (25-28 March 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Opening statements by Frédérique RIES (ALDE,BE), rapporteur, by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and by Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment: Opening statements by Frédérique RIES (ALDE,BE), rapporteur, Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC and Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC (15:00 - 15:13)

Live replay of the debate on Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment during the plenary session (25-28 March 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Closing statements by Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rightsand by Frédérique RIES (ALDE,BE), rapporteur

Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment: closing statement by Frédérique RIES (ALDE,BE), rapporteur and Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC (16:17 - 16:23)

During the plenary session (25-28 March 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. Statements by Frédérique RIES (ALDE, BE), rapporteur, Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Renata BRIANO (S&D, IT), Vice-Chair of the EP Committee on Fisheries, and Peter LIESE (EPP, DE). Illustrative shots and extracts from the vote.

Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment: extracts from the debate and the vote, illustrative shots

This infoclip shows the different plastic packaging that are commonly found in supermarkets. Addressing the circular cycle, the clip finishes with the recycling waste plant ECODEAL in Portugal where plastic is recycled.

Infoclip: Circular economy - Packaging and plastic recycling

During the plenary session (22-25/10/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on a new law to 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. Statements by Frédérique RIES (ALDE, BE), Rapporteur, and Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The results are: 571 in favour, 53 against and 34 abstention. Illustrative shots on the use of plastic products, such as plastic cups, plastic straws, cuttlery, cotton buds and coffee capsules, and of plastic products disposed in nature.

5 results