European Parliament backs single-use plastic ban by 2021

The measures, agreed by MEPs by 571-53 with 34 abstentions, are part of a bid to cut down on marine litter, which is mostly (70 per cent) made up of single-use plastic items.

The European Parliament will now open negotiations with the European Council next month with a view to making the proposals law.

Under the agreed plan, member states will also be expected to meet a target to reduce the use of other single-use plastic items which are not subject to an outright ban, such as burger boxes and food containers, by 25 per cent by 2025.

Plastic bottles will have to be collected separately and recycled at a rate of 90 per cent by 2025.

Waste from tobacco products, particularly cigarette filters, should be reduced by 50 per cent by 2025 and 80 per cent by 2030, with tobacco companies expected to cover the costs of waste collection.

Rapporteur Frédérique Ries said: “We have adopted the most ambitious legislation against single-use plastics. It is up to us now to stay the course in the upcoming negotiations with the Council, due to start as early as November.

“Today’s vote paves the way to a forthcoming and ambitious directive. It is essential in order to protect the marine environment and reduce the costs of environmental damage attributed to plastic pollution in Europe, estimated at 22 billion euros by 2030.”