A critical analysis of the consequences of the EU-proposed ban on single-use plastic items

Abstract

In recent years, marine litter became one of the biggest concerns. Worldwide, 9 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste enter the oceans every year, and the adverse effects on the environment will multiply. By proposing a new directive “on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment” (single-use plastics) in 2018, the European Union has itself committed to combat macro plastic marine litter. The ban on certain plastic products, including cutlery and straws, enjoys the most popularity. For this reason, the masters thesis studied the impacts that the ban will have on the environment and the plastic industry. The outcome was disillusioning. Only 220 tonnes of marine litter from the banned items could have been reduced by 2030. Compared to the annual amount of 15,000 tonnes in Europe, or 9 million tonnes of mismanaged plastic waste that flows into the ocean worldwide, the 220 tonnes are neglectable. Although the reduction may be observable throughout beach counts, an assessment of the actual impact on the environment (e.g., reduction in the number of entanglements of species) is not envisaged under the proposal. Furthermore, a great resistance of the industry to the implementation of the ban is not expected. Although the impact of the ban is minimal, the overall value of the legislative proposal is not. When properly implemented and monitored, the action taken by the EU can further raise awareness, trigger more countries to act, and be the starting point of the needed international and global cooperation that is needed to combat marine litter.