EU Plastic Directive 2021 - everything you need to know about it
This year has brought us many changes - including, among others, in the obligations of entrepreneurs regarding the management of certain wastes. One of the key novelties is the Plastics Directive 2021, which is a project to take up the fight against the production and distribution of articles made of plastic. These measures are a response to environmental problems, which are increasing every year. What is the Plastic Directive 2021? Who is affected by the ban on the sale of single-use plastic packaging? Find out the most important information gathered in one place - welcome!
Plastic - the European Union says enough!
To say that the environment is polluted is like saying nothing at all. This is a widespread problem that our planet faces every day. The main culprit of this situation is the ubiquitous plastic and other plastics from which, among other things, disposable products are made. We can encounter plastic bottles, plates or cutlery in fact in every home or in various eating establishments, and carrying out recycling of any of the aforementioned trash is, unfortunately, a pipe dream. An additional and extremely harmful problem for our body is the invisible threat in the form of microplastic - which, as research shows, has already reached every corner of the Earth, even Mount Everest! This "pest", invisible to the naked eye, can, for example, pretend to be some of the hormones in our body, causing a variety of diseases.
Fortunately for us and the environment, the European Union has taken matters into its own hands, introducing Directive 2019/904 of the European Parliament and the Council (EU) of June 5, 2019. This project is more commonly known as the Plastic Directive 2021 - because it is from this year that its first principles came into force. What exactly is it? About it below.
EU Plastic Directive 2021 - what is it?
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of what the Plastic Directive actually is. This is because it is an EU project aimed at reducing the production and use of plastics by replacing them with eco-friendly alternatives. The Plastic Act affects businesses - it bans the marketing of single-use plastic products. The enactment of the directive does not mean the sudden elimination of trash - the European Union envisions a gradual introduction of restrictions from 2021 to 2030.
EU Plastic Law 2021 - the main ideas in 5 points
- Banning the sale of single-use packaging and other products specified in the directive.
- Reducing the use of plastic products specified in the directive.
- The need to label certain single-use products.
- The need to attach caps or lids to bottles.
- Being subject to extended liability by manufacturers of single-use products.
EU directive - plastic and plastics are a problem for all of us!
The ban on plastic and products made of other plastics, including those made of oxidegradable materials, did not come from nowhere. The data the European Commission has collected tells us clearly: 70% of the waste we find on the beach is disposable products made of the aforementioned plastics. The problem with these items is that they are very rarely recycled, hence, instead of being reused, they end up in landfills or worse - on the grass, sand or in the water, where they become waste that poses a real threat to marine and forest ecosystems, animals or human health.
In favor of using artificial products made of plastic and other materials is the fact of high functionality, as well as low production costs. Fortunately, year after year, people's awareness is growing and they are beginning to turn to eco-friendly alternatives, including biodegradable green packaging. The plastic directive is expected to make, among other things, food service outlets begin to function in this way, which will not be able to introduce traditional disposable products, but precisely bio-products made of materials friendly to the environment and our health.
Plastic Law 2021 - changes from July 3, 2021 - banning the sale of single-use packaging and more
It is important to remember that single-use plastic packaging is not all we can encounter on a daily basis. The European Union is well aware of this, hence the Plastic Directive also bans the marketing of other articles made of plastic, as mentioned in Article 5 of EU Directive 2019/904.
In accordance with the provision of the Plastic Directive 2021, along with July 3, 2021, a provision went into effect throughout the European Union banning the marketing of the most harmful plastic goods, and for others ordering appropriate labeling.
The ban includes:
- Cutlery (knives, spoons, forks, chopsticks, etc.)
- Straws
- Plates
- Hygiene sticks
- Sticks attached to balloons
- Beverage stirrers
- Beverage containers
- Cups - those "plastic" can still be produced, but they must be properly labeled - printed "with a turtle" as below.
Only cups made of so-called polystyrene, or EPS plastic - expanded polystyrene - have been completely banned.
Accordingly, manufacturers or importers can no longer market the said plastic products. This does not mean, however, that plastic forks or straws have disappeared with the advent of July 1 - wholesalers or restaurateurs have the right to sell out or spend their accumulated stocks.
However, the said regulation did not cover such a large branch of catering packaging as "to go" containers of the menu box type (in their case, only EPS polystyrene was excluded), sealable containers or sushi containers, which is regrettable, because they have excellent alternatives in the form of, for example, sugarcane packaging.
The provision, however, covered PLA plastic (Polylactide, so-called bio plastic), which is a fully compostable plastic under industrial conditions. This decision is, in our opinion, very detrimental to this eco-friendly plastic. As a result, cups that are PLA-coated also have to carry the "turtle" label despite their compostability, and PLA cutlery has ceased production and will soon disappear from European markets.
Beverage containers - additional guidelines of the Plastics Directive 2021
Worth noting is Article 6 of EU Directive 2019/904, from which we can learn that beverage containers up to three liters will be approved only if they have attached caps or lids. Manufacturers have until January 2025 to prepare for this regulation.
What's more, by 2025 every beverage bottle will have to be made of at least 25 percent recycled plastic (by 2030 this content will have to rise to 30 percent).
Plastic packaging ban - not for all products
At this point it should be noted that the plastic directive in question does not apply to all plastic products. Going further - it does not even apply to every type of disposable article, as we mentioned in an earlier part of this post. The evaluation criterion in this case is the specific material. The law does not cover products that are made of:
- PP,
- r-PET,
- PET,
- PS,
- OPS,
- XPP (EPP).
Plastic packaging 2021 - extended producer responsibility
The withdrawal of plastic packaging from circulation for many companies could mean large financial losses - especially if they are their direct manufacturers and distributors. However, the European Union's position is clear - such companies can still engage in the production of single-use items - this, however, will incur certain costs.
Article 8 of EU Directive 2019/904 tells us that companies producing:
- food containers,
- beverage containers up to 3 liters,
- packages and flexible food wrappers,
will be obliged to cover the costs associated:
- from spreading awareness of these products,
- from collecting and cleaning up the waste generated after using these products.
Moreover, manufacturers of, among others:
- wet wipes,
- balloons (not including balloons intended for industrial or other professional use),
- tobacco products with filters,
will cover the costs associated:
- ze sprzątaniem odpadów pochodzących z tych artykułów,
- with the dissemination of knowledge,
- collecting data on these products.
Plastic packaging fee 2021 - what are the costs?
What amounts are we talking about? As of January 1, 2021, the so-called Plastic Tax, a tax on non-recyclable single-use plastic products, is in effect in the European Union member states. The fee for each kilogram of plastic or other material in question is €0.8, or €800 per ton.
Importantly: the tax does not apply to plastic packaging that is made of at least 30% recycled plastic.
In Poland, the above levy has not yet come into effect and, according to our findings, there is no specific date for its introduction yet.
Plastic 2021 - separate collection established by the European Union
The ban on the marketing of certain plastic products is not all that the Plastic 2021 Directive tells us about. Under it, all European Union member states will be required to take certain steps to ensure the selective collection of waste for recycling. In practice, this is as follows:
- by 2025 - 77% of such products placed on the market must be selectively collected and recycled,
- by 2029 - 90% of such products that have been placed on the market must be selectively collected and processed,
- by 2030 - all plastic packaging must be recyclable.
Importantly: these guidelines apply only to plastic bottles of up to three liters (equipped with caps or lids).
Plastic directive - special product labeling
Starting July 3, 2021, manufacturers of single-use plastic products must use special labeling, which is defined by the EU Commission. The graphics include information about, among other things, the inappropriate way to throw away single-use products and the environmental consequences of doing so.
Non-compliance with EU regulations - penalties and sanctions for plastic
The Plastics Directive also contains criminal provisions that tell us clearly - fines are provided for non-compliance with the guidelines by operators. The Environmental Protection Inspectorate will be responsible for monitoring the correctness of product labeling. Penalties may deter potential companies - we are talking about amounts ranging from PLN 10,000 to even PLN 500,000.
Summary - Timetable for the introduction of the Plastic Directive
- july 3, 2021 ban on the marketing of the aforementioned single-use products made of plastic,
- july 3, 2021 single-use plastic or plastic-covered cups must bear the appropriate marking ("Turtle")
- january 3, 2025. - plastic caps and lids will be allowed to be marketed, only on the condition that they are permanently attached to the bottle or package
- 2025 r. - each plastic bottle must be made of a minimum of 25% recycled material, and from 2030. - w 30%;
- by 2025, recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles is to be 77%, and by 2029. - 90%.
What does the introduction of the plastic directive mean?
Any way you put it - the Plastic Directive 2021 introduces many changes. It is a great idea in terms of the polluted environment - the less plastic and other harmful materials, the better - for us, animals and the planet as a whole. The effects of the new plastic law will certainly hit caterers, businesses, and consumers who choose this type of product (an additional fee for packaging), but in our opinion it is a big step to protect the planet and such a solution was simply a necessity.
From here, we encourage you to give up plastic today. Visit our eco-friendly wholesaler SlowPack, where you'll find eco-friendly packaging, cups, cutlery and other accessories that are made from natural and biodegradable natural materials (not included in the plastic directive!). You are cordially invited!
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Organic BIO certificates - how to get them and how much do they cost?
The fight against plastic continues....
Eco-labels on packaging - a guide