EU Agrees to Major Plastic Waste Reduction Law

The new legislation aims to significantly cut packaging waste and ban single-use plastics by 2030, marking a historic environmental policy shift.

The EU has reached a provisional agreement on a new law targeting a significant reduction in packaging waste and the banning of single-use plastics by 2030.
Negotiations involved intense debates and lobbying from various sectors, but resulted in ambitious waste reduction targets of 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040.
The law will apply to a wide range of items, including disposable plates, cups, and mini shampoo bottles in hotels, with certain exemptions for small businesses and specific materials like cardboard.
'Forever chemicals' used in food packaging will also be banned, addressing health concerns linked to these substances.
The agreement still requires formal approval from the European Parliament and EU governments, amidst concerns about the impact of green rules during the cost of living crisis.