Introduction
The Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) was approved by the EU in May 2019, with the legislative objective of reducing marine plastic pollution. The directive tackles this issue via bans of unnecessary plastic items, employing economic incentives to reduce consumption and increasing collection rates. Northern Ireland have had to adopt some of the measures, under the Northern Irish Protocol.
What materials are in scope?
The scope of items targeted by the SUPD were based on littered items commonly found in marine and coastal environments. It includes mixed-material items, paper-based products with plastic linings and bio-based plastics. The following sections detail specific material objectives:
Products banned in July 2021
Market restriction measures were imposed on these products, as suitable alternatives were deemed to be readily available:
- Cotton bud sticks
- Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, and chopsticks)
- Beverage stirrers
- Straws
- Plates (including paper plates with plastic lining)
- Sticks for balloons
- Expanded polystyrene food containers, beverage containers and cups
- Oxo-degradable plastics
Products with an obligation for reduction by 2026
Suitable alternatives for these products are not yet available, so member states are obligated to reduce the consumption of them - this can be done through national reduction targets, promotion of reusable alternatives, or market-based mechanisms such as a deposit return scheme:
