Plastics and polymers should be included as an intermediate product in the first working plan under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. In our paper we show that by prioritising plastics and polymers, the EU will take a major step in addressing the plastic pollution crisis, working to minimise the environmental footprint of plastic and polymer production. We also look at the limitations of the current methodology that look into polymer production.
ECOS is looking for experts in the field of plastic pellet pollution and more specifically on methods to estimate plastic pellet losses to represent and defend environmental interests in the development of standards and related policies.
Plastic fishing gear largely contributes to plastic pollution in our oceans. Biodegradable materials have been promoted as alternatives without consideration of their full impacts on the marine environment. In our 'blue' paper, we debunk the myths surrounding the biodegradability of plastics under marine conditions and highlight their potential negative effects on marine life and human activities. We call for a comprehensive international framework to address the full lifecycle of plastics in marine ecosystems, including those labelled as biodegradable.
Within the proposed text of the Global Plastics Treaty there are many calls to develop global voluntary standards. Standards are necessary to align and scale up technologies and systems that stem plastic pollution and manage our limited resources. Any standards created to implement the UN Global Plastic Treaty must include equitable participation from a wide range of impacted communities and sectors. Read our recommendations for how to achieve effective reference to standards in the Global Plastics Treaty.
In November 2023, United Nations delegates convened for a third round of negotiations to discuss the ‘zero draft’ of the UN Plastics Treaty – a crucial international initiative to put an end to plastic pollution. Unfortunately, little progress was made with only one year left until the end of the process, but there is also good news: all options remain on the table, with strong indications of how international standards will be integral to the success of the Plastics Treaty.
ECOS sends its response to the European consultation on the implementing decision of the Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD) defining the methodology for recycled content. Since the adopted methodology will be the first of this type, it will create a precedent for the upcoming legislative pieces.
On 30 November, the European Commission will publish its Circular Economy Action Plan. It includes a framework indicating in which cases it makes sense to use bio-based, biodegradable or compostable plastics. Spoiler alert: applications should be extremely limited. Can these recommendations be of true help against plastic pollution?
With plastic production expected to skyrocket in the coming years, microplastic pollution is set to become a runaway challenge if adequate preventive measures are not put in place quickly. Effective solutions that prioritise prevention must be implemented now to prevent microplastic pollution and minimise its impacts on our global ecosystems and climate for the generations to come. We urgently need to phase down material and resource use to sustainable levels within planetary boundaries and choose carefully which applications we use plastics for.
Bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics are currently under the European Commission’s spotlight. Whether or not they actually bring genuine environmental benefits is the question the Commission is trying to answer with several important policy measures that are meant to regulate bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics (or BBP/BDCP for short).
ECOS is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
