- Parliament approved by a very large majority the ban on single-use plastics that have an alternative, from 2021.
- It affects plates, cutlery, straws, cotton buds and expanded polystyrene containers, among others.
- Hospitality, retail and packers should review suppliers, stock and costs before each state transposes the rule.
On 27 March 2019, the European Parliament approved, with 560 votes in favour, 35 against and 28 abstentions, the agreement reached with member states to ban in the European Union single-use plastic products for which alternatives exist. The ban will apply in 2021, and countries will have two years from publication of the directive in the Official Journal to transpose it into national law.
The list of affected products includes cutlery, plates, straws, plastic cotton buds, balloon sticks, oxo-degradable plastics and expanded polystyrene fast-food containers and cups. The stated aim is to reduce plastic litter in seas and on beaches, where these products are among the most common.
What the rule includes
In addition to the bans, the directive sets a target of separate collection of 90% of plastic bottles by 2029 and reinforces the polluter-pays principle through extended producer responsibility. This applies in particular to manufacturers of products such as tobacco products, which will have to bear the costs of waste collection and awareness campaigns.
For products that are not banned but are regulated, labelling requirements and measures to reduce consumption are expected. Rules of this kind are then developed through additional Commission acts and each state’s legislation, so the 2021 date marks a horizon, but implementation details will take shape over the coming months.
Who is affected
The most exposed sectors are hospitality and catering, retail, event organisers, food distribution and manufacturers and importers of packaging and disposable tableware. For many small businesses, the change means replacing a cheap consumable with a more expensive or bulkier one, and reviewing their prices and storage logistics.
The picture also changes for suppliers: those who make or import products on the list have time to retool their range, and those already offering alternatives may find new opportunities. Care is needed, however: replacing one plastic with another material does not always solve the environmental problem, and the rule will require alternatives to meet their own requirements.
What to review
An affected company can start by taking inventory of what it buys and uses that is on the list, how much it spends a year and what supply contracts are in force. With that information the change can be planned without rushing, suppliers can be negotiated with and stock that will no longer be sellable or usable can be avoided.
It is also sensible to follow the Spanish transposition, which will set dates, penalties and obligations, and to consider whether the substitution opens the possibility of redesigning the service, for example with reusable tableware or deposit systems. Getting ahead usually costs less than adapting at the last minute, and allows the change to be explained to customers calmly. Once alternatives are identified, it is worth testing them on a small scale with real customers before replacing all the stock, because cost, durability and acceptance can vary a great deal from one material to another and affect the final price of the service. Finally, it is worth communicating the change naturally to customers and teams, explaining the reason and the alternatives chosen, because consumer acceptance tends to be better when people understand that it is a general obligation and not an arbitrary decision of the business.
Adapting early to a rule costs less than doing it when the deadline has run out.
This article is general information. It is not legal, tax or investment advice, and it does not take anyone’s particular circumstances into account.
