STiR coffee and tea magazine

STiR coffee and tea 11 EU Enforces Plastics Ban In July, the European Union began enforcing a single-use products ban on plastics to reduce the harm caused to wildlife and the environment. Firms that use plates, utensils, stirrers, straws, takeaway containers, bottles, cups, and other oxo-degradable plastics (those that break down into microplastics) must switch to more sustainable materials or risk fines. Each member country legislated specifics. Some countries legalized exemptions while others added banned products. Pandemic masks, plastic medical gowns, face guards, and gloves made of banned plastics are exempt. In general, where sustainable alternatives are readily available and affordable, the EU directive states that single-use products cannot be used, sold, or imported. Italy and Belgium will introduce a plastics tax. In France, plastic teabags are banned, and labeling cannot contain the description "biodegradable" to prevent "greenwashing" (conveying a misleading impression of being environmentally friendly). Germany added EPS polysty- rene food containers to the list. Dispos- able wrappers and cups are permitted so long as producers cover the cost of collection, transport, cleanup, and marketing awareness for anti-pollution programs. Polluter pays The bans are part of the European Green Deal, which lists 35 actions that focus on creating a circular economy that reuses materials. PET beverage and food containers for immediate con- sumption, packets, wrappers, sanitary items, and wet wipes are permitted under a principle referred to as 'polluter pays.' Enforcement of 'polluter pays' regulations begins Dec. 31, 2024. Well-established rules define how and which types of plastics can be recycled. Currently, there are no laws precisely describing permitted bioplastics that advertise as certified biodegradable and compostable. In December 2020, a group of independent scientific advisors recommended limiting the use of biodegradable plastics to specific Oxo-degradable plastics make up about 70% of marine litter in Europe. The European Union recently began enforcing a ban of single-use plastics and is now considering further regulation of packaging materials that come in contact with food. applications where reuse and recycling is not feasible. Legislation defining permitted plastics is not expected before 2023. Rules to reduce packaging waste, recycle, and reuse date to 1994. In 2019 the Single-Use Plastic Directive gave manufacturers and retailers until July 3 this year to comply. The commission is now working on legislative proposals updating the 1994 definitions of permissible packaging materials, with new rules regarding packaging waste, bioplastics, and materials that come into contact with foods. The commission identified "shortcomings" and possible safety issues for non-plastic food contact materials (FCM) that contain hazardous substances. A research paper in Science Advances estimates manufacturers produced 8.3 billion tons of plastic. According to Zero Waste Europe, during the past 50 years, global production and consumption of plastics increased 20-fold. In 1964 consumers used 15 million metric tons of plastic, which increased to 311 million metric tons by 2014. Current projections show that total doubling again. Oxo-degradable plastics make up about 70% of marine litter in Europe. Directives such as the single-use plastic rules will impact exports of food products from any destination bound for sale in the European Union. The European Commis- sion wants to ensure that all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable, in an economically viable way by 2030. By Dan Bolton Up Front

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