EuPC calls for implementation of single-use plastics directive to be postponed amid Covid-19

In an open letter to European Commissioners, European Plastics Converters (EuPC) has called for a ‘recast’ or postponement to the implementation of the European single-use plastics directive, in light of Covid-19.

In the letter, EuPC, an EU-level trade association, highlights perceived problems with the directive, claiming that it has proven difficult to implement from the beginning.

In particular, EuPC alleges that “this ‘political’ piece of legislation…did not take into account the hygienic consequences of banning or reducing single-use plastics”, only the littering dimension.

The single-use plastics directive aims to promote the transition to a circular economy for plastic in Europe and to prevent negative environmental and human health consequences of specific single-use plastics.

As such, the EU-wide rules target the ten single-use plastic products most commonly found on Europe’s beaches, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, which together constitute 70% of all marine litter items. The directive contains a raft of provisions to tackle plastic pollution, including restrictions on bringing to market specific single-use plastic products for which it says alternatives exist.

EuPC argues that the Covid-19 pandemic should prompt a re-think of strategies towards plastics worldwide, claiming that it has shown that single-use plastics are not easily substitutable, particularly in terms of their hygiene properties.

In the immediate term, EuPC calls on Commissioners to delay the implementation deadline for the single-use plastics directive: “EuPC is asking you to inform all EU member states of the postponement of the deadline for the implementation of the SUP directive for at least an additional year at national level and to lift all bans on some of the single-use plastics items.

“The implementation postponement will give all EU member states more time to focus on more urgent measures in the fight against Covid-19 by distributing SUP in emergency situations, whilst the industry will have the possibility to continue to produce all those plastic products and others that are needed and will be needed in the future.”

Last month, it was announced that the implementation of Scotland’s deposit return scheme – an initiative aimed at tackling “throw-away culture” and supporting progress towards a circular economy – was to be delayed by more than a year in light of Covid-19’s anticipated impact on businesses.