About: plastic bags

Plastic waste: what’s new is old

Companies doing business in Europe may soon have to ensure their packaging contains a minimum amount of recycled plastic. But getting their hands on quality recycled materials in sufficient quantity is currently difficult.

Plastic waste: how to square the circle

The EU’s circular economy plan aims to halve municipal waste in the next decade by increasing recycling rates. Can companies boost the use of recycled plastics in time to meet the target?

EU rules out tax on plastic products to reduce waste

EU opts for public awareness campaign on the impacts of plastics on the environment saying a tax would not be sustainable, reports EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian.

Planet’s addiction to plastic bottles ‘as dangerous as climate change’

A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute and the number will jump another 20% by 2021, creating an environmental crisis some campaigners predict will be as serious as climate change. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.

The hidden economic benefits of banning plastic bags

With its incremental ban on single-use plastic bags, the French government has given a substantial boost to the country's organic plastics companies. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.

Not so bad: 5 laws the EU nailed down in 2015

Brussels is frequently criticised for wasting time and resources, from banana bends to dim energy-saving lightbulbs. But, this past year, the EU adopted some legislation that benefitted German citizens. EURACTIV Germany reports.

France postpones plastic bag ban for six months

Originally scheduled for 1 January 2016, the ban on single-use plastic bags in France will be put off until 1 July 2016, to give shopkeepers and suppliers time to use up their stock. EURACTIV France reports. 

France prepares to unleash a barrage of waste regulation

The annual waste conference in Nantes last week saw a number of important announcements regarding regulation and tax, both from France and the European Union. Journal de l'Environnement reports. 

EU to halve plastic bag use by 2019

The European Parliament passed a law on 28 April to drastically cut down on single-use plastic bags. EURACTIV France reports. 

Plastics to be banned from European landfill

Plastic packaging is often criticised for the pollution it causes, but if treated properly, it can also help to save resources and energy. The plastics sector is campaigning to put an end to the disposal of plastics in landfill. EURACTIV France reports. 

Europe’s ‘historic moment’ on plastics bags contested by industry advocates

As lawmakers reached agreement this week to limit the use of plastic bags across Europe, industry voices warned that such rules will have a negative impact on trade in Europe's internal market.

Timmermans overruled on plastic bags deal

?The Commission was overruled on how to implement the new targets for plastic bag reduction by the Parliament and Council, Frans Timmermans confirmed on Wednesday (19 October), even though the Commission's First Vice-President had previously labeled the proposal 'overregulation'.

Ex-Tory MP entangled in EU plastic bag lobbying row

A former Tory MP who is now working for a leading plastic manufacturer is facing claims the business is exploiting its employees' links to the British Conservatives to block a ban on plastic bags at European Union level. 

Campaign highlights biodiversity cost of plastic bags

Yesterday (3 July) marked International Bag Free Day, but most of the world continues to use light-weight plastic bags, deemed the most harmful to the environment.

Qualms over France’s move to ban plastic bags

The French government wants to ban single-use plastic bags by 2016, years ahead of a European directive. But replacing them with biodegradable packaging makes it equally problematic, EURACTIV France reports.

EU lawmakers vote to reduce plastic bag use

The European Parliament voted yesterday (16 April) in favour of curbing the use of thin plastic bags in the EU by at least 80% by 2019.

EU move to end use of thin plastic bags gathers steam

The European Parliament called yesterday (14 January) for a ban on the most hazardous and lightweight plastic bags by 2020, approving a strategy published by the EU Commission last year.

Brussels looks to cut plastic bag use

The European Commission has released a series of measures to reduce the use of lightweight plastic bags in the European Union and limit the negative impacts on the environment.

Commission aims to slash plastic bag use

The European Commission is considering a tax or a ban on plastic bags as it seeks the public's views on how to reduce their use and fight pollution.