Life in plastic, not so fantastic

The EU is trying to slowly wean us off plastic packaging with new rules that will eventually ban many throwaway plastics. Our plastic addiction is a big problem. Each European throws away half a kilo of packaging every day: a coffee capsule in the morning, a juice carton, a takeaway coffee cup, a sandwich wrapper, and the plastic that protects our online shopping. In 2021, packaging waste added up to nearly 190 kg per person, making up about 40% of the EU's plastic consumption. Most plastic starts as oil, a lot of which is imported at high cost. We have plenty of reasons to reduce our dependence on oil, not least to limit those high energy import bills and cut down on fossil fuels. New rules in the EU's packaging and packaging waste regulation apply since yesterday, 12 August. There are now EU limits on PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that may cause cancer or fertility problems, in food packaging. PFAS help repel water or grease, and are widely used in fast-food wrappers, take-away containers, pizza boxes, and bakery bags among many other things. We'll also start to see new recycling labels on packaging, including a QR code that tells us what exactly our packaging is made of. This should help recyclers who currently struggle to identify what's in packaging from another EU country. And bigger changes are coming: by next year, your local takeaway will have to let you bring your own reusable containers and fill them at no extra cost. By 2030, at least 10% of takeaway food should be served in reusable packaging. There are targets to reduce packaging by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040. Some single-use plastic packaging will be banned from 2030, such as plastic wrap for fruit and vegetables, mini packets for ketchup or soy sauce at restaurants, or the tiny shampoo bottles you get from hotels. However, the recycling rules have been criticised as too costly for businesses, and the European Commission is already planning to ease at least one of the deadlines.