You know that thin, thin plastic bag you put your fruit in... it may be the most unnecessary plastic product we use. We recommend that you instead invest in bags made of fabric. These can be used over and over again, and we get away from the "use and throw away" society where disposable plastic is used for everything.
Photo: Hannele M Bång
| At the end of March 2019, the European Parliament approved a new law that prohibits single-use plastic products in the EU from 2021. This includes plates, cutlery, cotton swabs and fast food packaging. Good, we think! |
Here is the list, this will be prohibited!
Prohibited from 2021 according to the EU agreement:
- Plastic cutlery
- Plastic plates
- Plastic straws
- Plastic cotton swabs
- Polystyrene food containers
- Polystyrene beverage packaging
- Polystyrene cups
- Oxo-degradable plastic
What is oxo-biodegradable plastic? It is plastic that occurs in plastic bags, it is not very common in Sweden. The products break down quickly and disappear so they cannot be seen, but the plastic leaves behind chemicals and microplastics. The name and marketing are often misleading and can give the impression that they are environmentally friendly, but they are not.
What about food packaging?
For food packaging and cups made of plastics other than polystyrene, the countries have agreed to work to significantly reduce their use – i.e., no clear rule or prohibition here.