Oxo Degradable Plastic Ban

Oxo degradable plastic packaging which includes select plastic pouch bags is often marketed as a solution to plastic pollution because it claims to degrade into harmless residues within a period ranging from a few months to several years.

Oxo degradable plastic ban.

In march 2019 the european parliament approved measures aimed at tackling marine litter by limiting the use of disposable plastic. In a 2017 report it was stated that the biodegradation of the fragmented pieces is only partially supported. Citation needed the statements about biodegradation of oxo degradable plastics have however been disputed by the eu. The report of the european chemicals agency echa on the risks posed to the environment by the use of such plastics has not yet been published.

The exact date of such ban will depend on the applicable legislation passed by each eu member state. The european commission has recommended eu wide measures be taken against so called oxo degradable plastics. On 27th march 2019 the european parliament voted to ban certain single use plastics approving a directive into which oxo degradable plastics were added in a last minute politically motivated move. The directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment will become ec law in april 2019 and includes a ban on oxo degradable plastics.

European parliament ban on oxo degradable plastics is a political move that ignores the established science. The law implements an eu directive to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags. On 27th march 2019 the european parliament voted to ban certain single use plastics approving a directive into which oxo degradable plastics were added in a last minute politically motivated move. March 29 2019 the obpf welcomes the decision by the european chemicals agency echa november 12 2018.

In a report published earlier this month the commission said that a process to restrict the use of oxo plastics in the eu will be started. European bioplastics eubp the association of the bioplastics industry in europe strongly welcomes this clear commitment to take action. European parliament ban on oxo degradable plastics is a political move that ignores the established science. European parliament ban on oxo degradable plastics is a non science based political move.

Spain announced plans to ban the sale of lightweight oxo degradable bags from 2018 onwards under a new law drafted by the spanish agriculture and environment ministry. The directive foresees a ban on all products made of oxo degradable plastic from july 2021.