EU: MEPs back draft rules to reduce use of plastic carrier bags

EU countries would have to reduce the use of the most common and most polluting plastic bags by at least 80% by 2019, under draft rules backed by the European Parliament. They should use measures such as taxes, levies, marketing restrictions or bans to stop shops from giving out plastic bags for free, except for very light ones, used to wrap loose foods such as raw meat, fish and dairy products.
Plastic bags used to wrap foods such as fruit and vegetables should be replaced by 2019 by carrier bags made of recycled paper or biodegradable and compostable bags. Requirements for compostable and biodegradable packaging should be amended (Press Release European Parliament, 16 April 2014).
Click here for the press release.

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