Plastic pollution has become an environmental challenge for the marine environment, from seabirds eating plastic particles to microplastics which can be found even in the planet’s most remote locations, like in the Arctic or on the sea floor. The transition to a circular economy is not ensured and the associated economic impact cannot be underestimated.
On 28 May, the European Commission proposed new rules targeting the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on beaches and seas in the EU, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, constituting together 70 % of all marine litter items. The proposed rules will include a ban of certain products, consumption reduction, collection targets, and obligations for producers.