header parallax image
Mairead McGuinness MEP
  • HOME
  • About Mairead
    • About Mairead
    • PICTURES
    • TRANSPARENCY
  • NEWS
    • AGRICULTURE
    • BREXIT
    • CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
    • ENVIRONMENT
    • EVENTS
    • FOOD SAFETY
    • FUTURE OF EUROPE
    • HEALTH
    • INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
    • LATEST NEWS
    • TRADE
  • GALLERY
    • GALLERY
    • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • About Mairead
    • About Mairead
    • PICTURES
    • TRANSPARENCY
  • NEWS
    • AGRICULTURE
    • BREXIT
    • CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
    • ENVIRONMENT
    • EVENTS
    • FOOD SAFETY
    • FUTURE OF EUROPE
    • HEALTH
    • INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
    • LATEST NEWS
    • TRADE
  • GALLERY
    • GALLERY
    • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
ENVIRONMENT

Banning Of Single Use Plastics Takes Step Closer

December 20, 2018 February 7, 2019 Mairead McGuinness830 views

A new agreement between the European Parliament and Council on a Single Use Plastics Directive designed to “clamp down on single use plastics that take five seconds to produce, are used for five minutes and yet take 500 years to break down,” Mairead McGuinness MEP and first Vice-President of the European Parliament said today.

The MEP said the Directive will include far-reaching measures to combat plastic marine litter.

“According to the World Economic Forum, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050 – if plastic waste continues to end up in the ocean at the present rate.

“The directive is a small step to protect our health and the health of our planet,” said the Midlands North-West MEP.

“Single use plastics are a very serious problem which the EU is tackling.

“In February, researchers from NUIG found that 73pc of deep sea fish had ingested plastic fragments.

“Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks), plastic plates, plastic straws and plastic cotton bud sticks will be banned, as will food containers and beverage cups made of expanded polystyrene,” she said.

All products made from this type of oxo-degradable plastic will be banned because of the harmful effects of this type of plastic on the environment – it contributes to microplastic pollution. It is also confusing as it is not a truly biodegradable plastic.

Wet-wipes and tobacco products containing plastic will be obliged to carry a marking informing consumers of the presence of plastic and the potential harm if these items are not properly disposed of in the bin.

“Tobacco product filters containing plastic are the second most littered single-use plastic items in the EU,” the MEP said. “Now, producers of plastic tobacco filters will be required to cover the costs for public collection systems for cigarette stubs.”

The latest special EU Barometer indicated that 75pc of citizens are concerned about plastic waste. This agreement is a tangible step to address public concerns.

The next step involves seeking confirmation by EU ambassadors of member states. The directive would then be submitted for approval to the European Parliament and then back to the Council for final adoption.

Mairead McGuinnessDecember 20, 2018

Categories

  • AGRICULTURE
  • BREXIT
  • CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • EVENTS
  • FOOD SAFETY
  • FUTURE OF EUROPE
  • HEALTH
  • INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
  • LATEST NEWS
  • MAIREAD
  • TIMELINE
  • TRADE
  • TRANSPARENCY
  • VIDEOS

Twitter

Tweets by MaireadMcGMEP

Facebook

Mairead McGuinness MEP

INSTAGRAM

mcguinnesseu

Vice-President of the European Parliament and MEP for the Midlands-North-West region of Ireland. Member of the EPP Group.

Press conference on the Commission's vision for fo Press conference on the Commission's vision for fostering openness, strength & resilience in Europe’s economic and financial system 🇪🇺

To strengthen Europe’s economic and financial system in a changing global context, we want:
🔵 a stronger international role of the euro
🔵 more resilient financial market infrastructures
🔵 effective implementation of EU sanctions.
College of Commissioners on Christmas Eve debriefi College of Commissioners on Christmas Eve debriefing about 🇪🇺🇬🇧 deal. 

Congratulations and thank you to @ursulavonderleyen, Michel Barnier and team.
First press conference as Commissioner this week t First press conference as Commissioner this week to launch @europeancommission strategy on non-performing loans
Many people have asked me about the impact of COVI Many people have asked me about the impact of COVID on my new role.
Congratulations President-elect @JoeBiden it was a Congratulations President-elect @JoeBiden it was a pleasure to welcome you to Co Louth 🇮🇪 in 2016, along with members of your family. I look forward to a strong EU 🇪🇺 🇺🇸 US relationship under your presidency. Congratulations @KamalaHarris 👏
.... a perch for the birds in the garden.... .... a perch for the birds in the garden....
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Copyright © 2016 Mairead McGuinness - Designed and Managed by exSite