RTÉ: Europe to Ban Single-Use Plastics From 2021

Small plastic items that are more fast conveniences than necessities will be banned from Europe as of 2021. “The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly today for an EU-wide ban on single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic cutlery and cotton buds,” reports RTÉ. “The European Commission, the 28-nation EU's executive arm, proposed banning such items that it said account for 70% of the waste in oceans and on beaches.” The goal is to protect the world’s oceans, and the vote was 571 to 53. Just before the vote, researchers reported finding plastic in human excrement from every subject participating in a multi-country study. The ban arrives as China refuses to accept plastic waste from other nations, and the parliament also plans to reduce plastic food containers. Negotiations with member states, the European Parliament and the European Commission will finalize the legislation and regulations. – YaleGlobal