news from the Wheel of Fortune in the EU fight against plastic continues to advance. After a long run of disposable items like plates, glasses, cutlery, straws, and ear swabs, new targets are being added. From small hotel shampoo sachets to coffee pods and fruit and vegetable packaging, the list of items to be severely reduced or banned is expanding.
The plan, already approved in principle by the EU, aims to curb the plastic pollution that fills the natural world while cutting emissions tied to production. It is a problem that often feels out of control. Plastic takes centuries to break down as millions of tons end up in oceans and landfills every year.
The measures are laid out in a recently published draft regulation now under processing. Among other things, they push for empowerment through mandatory deposit and return schemes for single use plastic bottles and metal cans. The idea is simple: when a consumer buys a package, a small deposit is paid and is returned when the package is brought back to a store. This approach dramatically reduces the amount of containers released into the environment, operates more efficiently than traditional disposal methods, and has proven effective in countries where it is in place.
Return and return systems for containers are a focal point, highlighting how returns work and why they matter for environmental impacts.
Another target is the mini shampoos and soaps provided in hotel rooms, a major source of plastic waste that is difficult to recycle and rarely ends up in a closed-loop system.
In cafeterias, around 20 percent of packaged drinks are to be served in reusable or customer-provided containers. The share is planned to climb to 80 percent by 2040, reshaping how beverages are stored and transported.
Breweries and beer retailers are also addressed: the community recommends that 10 percent of products be sold in refillable bottles by 2030 and 20 percent by 2040.
overpacking
The EU also targets overpacking, which adds cost and bulk without improving product value, contributing to plastic pollution. Member states and online retailers are urged to minimize free space at checkout to a maximum of 40 percent relative to the product. Unnecessary packaging, such as double-walled or oversized underlays, should be avoided, as they can mislead consumers about product size.
Containers thrown ashore have drawn attention from European press as a reminder of the ongoing waste challenge.
Coffee capsules are set for significant changes to enable easy biodegradability, a constant headache for recyclers. In addition to capsules, tea bags, fruit stickers, and plastic shopping bags should be designed to be compostable.
The agreement now awaits ratification by the European Parliament and the member states. Some of these measures are slated for implementation by 2030, a timeline that surprised many industry players who have voiced concerns about the targets.
For more detailed information, see the European Commission press release on the topic.
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