A European Strategy for Plastics
Plastics are an important material in our economy, and modern daily life is unthinkable without them. At the same time however, they can have serious downsides on the environment and health.
Action on plastics was identified as a priority in the 2015 Circular Economy Action Plan, to help European businesses and consumers to use resources in a more sustainable way.
The first–ever European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy adopted on January 16, 2018 will transform the way plastic products are designed, used, produced and recycled in the EU. Better design of plastic products, higher plastic waste recycling rates, more and better quality recyclates will help boosting the market for recycled plastics. It will deliver greater added value for a more competitive, resilient plastics industry.
The Strategy is part of Europe’s transition towards a circular economy, and will also contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, the global climate commitments and the EU’s industrial policy objectives. This strategy will help protect our environment, reduce marine litter, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on imported fossil fuels. It will support more sustainable and safer consumption and production patterns for plastics.
Read more via European Commission website…
EU plastics strategy key documents:
- EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy – communication
- EU Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy – staff working document
- EU Strategy for plastics in the Circular Economy – brochure
- Strategy for plastics – press release and questions and answers
- Factsheets on the strategy for plastics in a circular economy
- Factsheet – changing the way we use plastics
- Other 2018 Circular Economy Action Plan initiatives