A range of plastic products such as cutlery, plates, straws, glasses, cotton swabs, disposable glasses, etc. should not be placed on the market after 3/7/2021, as provided for in a bill, which incorporates Directive 2019/904 / EU on limiting the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The bill was submitted on 26/11/2021 in Parliament and it is unknown when it will be debated. Nevertheless, manufacturers, producers and importers are aware of the provisions of the Directive in consultation with the Department of the Environment and have had to distribute more environmentally friendly alternative products to the market after 3 July.
Also, for the other four products (plastic cups, wet wipes, toiletries and tobacco products), they had to be available for sale if they had special markings. Measures are taken to reduce, reuse and recycle products through the European Disposable Plants Directive.
According to the European directive on disposable plastics, from 3/7/2021, the following applies: The following disposable plastic products are prohibited on the market: 1. Batons with plastic stem (with the exception of those that fall under the medical technology equipment) 2. Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks) 3. Plates 4. Straws 5. Drink stirrers 6. Rods that attach and support balloons. 7. Food containers made of expanded polystyrene. 8. Expanded polystyrene beverage containers and their lids and caps 9. Expanded polystyrene cups and their lids and lids. 10. Products made from oxidizable plastic.
New marking requirements
The disposable plastics listed below and available on the market, they are required to bear visible, legible and indelible markings so that citizens know which products are intended for reuse, recycling and composting.
1. Sanitary napkins, tampons 2. Wet wipes 3. Tobacco products with filter and filters on the market for use in combination with tobacco products. • Cigarettes or cigars with a filter containing plastic • Disposable filters containing plastic • Electronic device for use with a gaseous tobacco product including a disposable filter containing plastic. 4. Cups for drinks.
For the marking of the above items, it is noted that a derogation has been given, and it is possible for the products that are available in the market before 4/7/2022, to be able to be placed with a sticker. From 4/7/2022, all the aforementioned products available on the market must bear the marking on the product or its packaging, depending on the requirements of the relevant Regulation.
Consumption reduction
A reduction in the consumption of disposable plastic products is applied, which are listed below:
1.Drink cups with lids 2. Food containers. Containers such as boxes with or without lid, in which food is placed.
A separate collection for recycling is ensured
According to the directive, there is a mandatory goal of separate collection of plastic bottles 77% for 2025 and 90% for 2023. In order to achieve this goal, it is possible to establish guarantee return systems, as well as set targets for extended producer liability systems.
Reduction of consumption of plastic water bottles
Extended producer liability systems are established for all plastic products listed below:
Section A.
1. Food containers 2. Packages and wrappers made of flexible material 3. Beverage containers up to three liters 4. Cups with lids and lids 5. Thin plastic carrying bags
Section B
1. Wet wipes 2. Balloons
Section C
1. Tobacco products with filter and filters, as well as for fishing gear containing plastic.
The systems are established until December 31, 2024, but for systems that have been established before 4/7/2018 and in relation to the disposable plastic products listed in Section C until 5/1/2023.
All caps attached to bottles
According to the Directive from 3/7/2024, plastic beverage containers (including beverage bottles) up to 3 liters, with plastic lids and lids, will only be available on the market if the lids and lids remain attached to the containers during the intended stage of use of the product. In this regard, the European Commission has asked the European standardization bodies to draw up harmonized standards on this requirement.
For beverage bottles with a capacity of up to 3 liters:
(a) from 2025, beverage bottles up to 3 liters made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a base material shall contain at least 25% recycled plastic calculated as an average for all PET bottles marketed in the territory of the MS
(b) from 2030, beverage bottles up to 3 liters made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a base material shall contain at least 30% recycled plastic calculated as an average for all PET bottles available on the market in the territory of the MS.
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