Communication on ‘A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy’

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 16 January 2018, setting out a Strategy for Plastics in the European Union.

Further information:

This Strategy presents key commitments for action at EU level in laying the foundations to a new plastics economy, where the design and production of plastics and plastic products fully respect reuse, repair and recycling needs and more sustainable materials are developed and promoted. It aims to make all plastic packaging on the EU market recyclable by 2030, to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics and to restrict the intentional use of microplastics. It also features a plan to develop new rules on packaging, a stronger focus on other single-use plastics and fishing gear (including a public consultation on the subject) and further support to national awareness campaigns, guidance on how to minimise plastic waste at source, a proposal on port reception facilities and further cooperation with external stakeholders to come up with global solutions and international standards.

The Strategy follows the spirit of the 2015 Circular Economy Package and aims to make a tangible contribution to reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement objectives on climate change. This Communication was published as part of a legislative package aimed at delivering on the circular economy action plan. The Council of the European Union exchanged views on this Communication on 5 March 2018.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EurActiv, 16/01/2018: Karmenu Vella: ‘Well-designed’ plastics tax could help hit environment targets https://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/interview/karmenu-vella-well-designed-plastics-tax-could-help-hit-environment-targets/

Pastic Europe: Press Release, 16/01/2018: PlasticsEurope’s reaction to the Strategy for Plastics https://www.plasticseurope.org/en/newsroom/press-releases/archive-press-releases-2018/plasticseurope-welcomes-ecs-plastics-strategy

EurActiv, 17/01/2018: Plastics Strategy: EU must heed example of best practices https://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/opinion/plastics-strategy-eu-must-heed-example-of-best-practices/

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News

EUObserver, 10/01/2018: Commission reveals plastic tax to cover Brexit budget hole https://euobserver.com/economic/140499

Politico, 15/01/2018: Plastic tax proposal faces resistance https://www.politico.eu/article/budget-commissioners-plastic-tax-proposal-faces-resistance/

Politico, 16/01/2018: Brussels goes to war against plastic garbage https://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-goes-to-war-against-plastic-garbage/

EUObserver, 16/01/2018: Oettinger pushes plastic tax but colleagues express doubts https://euobserver.com/institutional/140572

EurActiv, 16/01/2018: Commission maps out plastics vision in new strategy https://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/news/commission-maps-out-plastics-vision-in-new-strategy/

The Guardian, 16/01/2018: EU declares war on plastic waste https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/16/eu-declares-war-on-plastic-waste-2030

Politico, 16/01/2018: EU’s plastics strategy doesn’t include plastic tax https://www.politico.eu/article/plastic-strategy-no-plastic-tax-for-now/

Euronews, 17/01/2018: EU plans major crack down on Europe's plastics pollution https://www.euronews.com/2018/01/17/e-u-plans-major-crack-down-on-europe-s-plastics-pollution

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Official

EUR-Lex: SWD(2018)16: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication on 'A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy' https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2018:16:FIN

EUR-Lex: Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on the Communication on a European Strategy for Plastics in a circular economy https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018AR0925

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Initiative on European strategy for plastics in a circular economy https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/2035(INI)

European Commission: Memo, 16/01/2018: Questions & Answers: A European strategy for plastics https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_18_6

European Commission: Press Release, 16/01/2018: Plastic Waste: a European strategy to protect the planet, defend our citizens and empower our industries https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_5

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 05/03/2018: Environment ministers discussed the Circular Economy and the Plastics Strategy https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/03/05/environment-ministers-discussed-the-circular-economy-and-the-plastics-strategy/

European Commission: News, 20/11/2018: EU Plastics Strategy https://ec.europa.eu/commission/news/eu-plastics-strategy-2018-nov-20_en

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