Rome, Italy 25 November 2014 - "An important step towards the implementation of the circular economy throughout Europe". This was the verdict of Marco Versari, president of Assobioplastiche, the association representing manufacturers and processors of compostable bioplastics, on the vote of the European Council.
"The text of the directive that has emerged from the negotiations between the European Council, Commission and Parliament pursues clear, sound objectives, namely the reduction of lightweight carrier bags, the recognition of models such as the Italian model based on marketing restrictions, the adoption of unified labelling for compostable products, and the validity of European standards allowing the development of a compostable bioplastics industry.
"These measures will contribute greatly to the development of an industry that can provide a major opportunity to revitalize a segment like that of traditional chemicals that is undergoing difficulties all across Europe," Versari continued.
Implementing the principle of waste prevention, the directive sets the goal of reducing the quantity of lightweight plastic carrier bags in circulation. The European Parliament, headed by Speaker Margrete Auken, had already taken a similar stance in April.
Each European citizen consumes an average of 200 plastic bags a year but, among its various other measures, the EU has now established a clear limit: reducing consumption to 90 bags per person by 2019 and 40 bags per person by 2025. In order to achieve these reduction objectives, Member States may use marketing restrictions, taxes or other pricing instruments, as already envisaged in Italian legislation, which thus represented a pilot model paving the way for the European lawmakers. EN 13432:2000 has been declared to be the standard for biodegradable, compostable products, recognised as having lesser environmental impact owing to their organic recovery properties. The bags will have to be appropriately labelled so as to be clearly recognizable by consumers. The Commission has also been tasked to produce a specific standard for domestic composting.
Within two years of the Directive coming into force, the Commission will submit a report to the Parliament and the Council regarding OXO-biodegradable bags in order to monitor their environmental impact (plastic microparticles) and, if applicable, come up with additional environmental protection measures.
Following yesterday's vote in Strasbourg, where the ENVI Committee definitively approved the text with 60 votes in favour, three abstaining and zero against, the measure is expected to be finally signed on 17 December.
***
Assobioplastiche – the Italian Bioplastic and Biodegradable and Compostable Materials Association – was formed in 2011 and represents businesses operating in Italy and abroad in the production of biodegradable polymers and finished products, as well as end-of-life management of articles made from bioplastics. Assobioplastiche is based in Rome and its current president is Marco Versari.
Contact information:
tel.: +39.06.4740589
No comments:
Post a Comment