FoodDrinkEurope Statement on single-use plastics
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(Brussels, 28 May 2018) FoodDrinkEurope acknowledges today’s adoption of the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive by the European Parliament and the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment [1].
Europe’s food and drink sector is committed to supporting the European Commission towards a circular economy model, stepping up efforts to improve plastics use, reuse and recycling as well as maximising the use of available resources. FoodDrinkEurope’s members are striving to improve waste management practices at every stage along the food supply chain, always prioritising and ensuring food safety. Many food and drink organisations are already taking significant actions to find new and innovative ways to address the issue of plastic use or, for example, working towards 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025 or earlier [2].
FoodDrinkEurope believes that preventing litter should be the cornerstone of a European policy approach. This needs to be taken forward through a comprehensive, shared and holistic approach to education, infrastructure and law enforcement instead of requesting member states to establish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for certain packaging items covering the costs of litter clean ups. Changing public attitudes towards littering should be the focus of such actions.
The recently reviewed Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive [3] include effective tools to reach these goals, including EPR for packaging. FoodDrinkEurope believes that pursuing and addressing littering under the reviewed legislative framework will bring about positive change across the EU member states.
[1] Proposal 2018/0172 (COD) for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment
[3] Directive 2008/98/EC on waste and Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging waste
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