Page 34 - Plastics News March 2018

internAtionAL news

Banning single-use plastics is UK European Parliament

the wrong solution for our waste me mbe r wa r ns a g ai nst
problems says PLASTICS 'undervaluing' plastics

n idea advanced by the Los ulie Girling, a member of the European Parliament’s
AAngeles Times — banning Jenvironment, public health and food safety
all "single-use" plastics — committee representing the United Kingdom, has
would be counterproductive cautioned against some drastic measures to reduce or
in protecting our environment eliminate use of plastics. In an opinion piece published
h a s ma n y t a k e rs. Th e by the European Parliament's magazine, the member
Plastics Industry Association from the U.K.’s Conservative Party said she could see
(PLASTICS), washington based the attraction of such drastic approaches, but was
the only organization that worried about food safety and food waste. The use of
represents every segment of plastics for food contact materials, said Girling, delivers
the plastics supply chain, welcomes the focus on reducing the benefits of prolonged freshness, reduces cross-
waste and promoting product stewardship, but not this contamination
misguided solution to ban single use Plastics.
and pr o v ides
Unfortunately, as with many public policy topics, damage-f r ee
talking points can sound good, but they don't always delivery to the
align with the facts, science and technology needed consumer. “[This]
in the conversation. When confronting suggestions like should not be
banning single-use plastics, I believe all Plastics Industry undervalued,”
Association members and their customers need to become she noted.
a part of the conversation and work together to create
solutions to better protect our environment. California's “I was pleased
focus and environmental leadership should be focused on that the idea of
the real problem: needed improvements in solid waste a plastics tax, as proposed by European budget and
management systems to protect the environment and human resources Commissioner Günther Oettinger, was
citizens as well as prevent all materials from polluting not included in the plastics strategy,” she wrote. While
waterways and land. the idea is not without its merits, she went on to say,
such moves should be decided at a national level.
In the U.S., we hold transportation infrastructure projects
as worthy of tax dollars; expanded curbside recycling “Such a move from the Commission could have backfired
and improved material recovery facilities need to attract badly,” she warned. Voicing her support for moves
similar funding. We know that so much more of our such as banning the use of disposable plastic bags,
product is recyclable or recoverable were it not for state Girling said such measures, combined with increased
and local governments' lack of sorting technology and recycling, could help to combat the issue of plastic
equipment, insufficient access to curbside collection and wastes. Referring to the plastics strategy, adopted by
barriers to wider adoption of conversion technologies. the European Commission in January, Girling said it
Addressing those issues would create jobs, lessen the should promote and enable a new attitude towards
amount of material going to landfill and help make recycling throughout the food chain, from the farmer
recycling as routine as brushing our teeth. Furthermore, to the consumer. Europe generates roughly 26 million
given the economic return associated with recycling and tonnes of plastic waste a year, of which less than 30
composting, public–private partnerships are a viable percent gets recycled.
funding source to enhance our capabilities.

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