Germany’s new plastics bill could see businesses contribute €450 million per year to litter cleanups

Plastic manufacturers in Germany will soon be forced to pay towards litter collecting.

Germany’s new plastics bill could see businesses contribute €450 million per year to litter cleanups -0
Source: DW

The bill, agreed by the Cabinet on Wednesday, will require makers of products containing single-use plastic to pay into a central fund managed by the government. It will come into force in 2025.

The fund will collect an estimated €450 million in the first year, based on the companies' past production of single-use plastic. This will contribute to the cost of cleaning up litter in streets and parks.

Affected items include cigarette filters, drink containers and packaging for takeout food.

What makes an item single-use?

Single-use plastics (SUPs) are produced to be used once, for a short period of time, before being thrown away. They include items like take-away containers, food wrappers, carrier bags, coffee cups and plastic bottles. 

Because they are used for such a short time, SUPs are more likely to be littered - and many end up in the ocean, where they dissolve into microplastics that are consumed by fish and then humans.

Microplastics: Polluting our blood, foetuses - and now the dairy and meat we eat
Your burger could soon come wrapped in packing made from seaweed 
Germany's Environment Minister, Steffi Lemke, says the cost of cleanups in Europe's biggest economy is currently borne by all.

"That should change," she says. "Whoever depends on putting single-use plastic onto the market for their business should contribute to the collection and cleanup costs."

How is Europe tackling its plastic waste problem?

Europe produces around 60 million metric tonnes of plastic every year, but only around 30 per cent of this is eventually recycled. Waste management varies by country, with Germany leading the way by recycling 99.6 per cent of plastic packaging in 2019.

The European Green Deal proposes policies and actions to use plastics in a more sustainable way. This includes the EU-wide Single-Use Plastics Directive, which entered into force in 2019, giving member states two years to start implementing the plan. In early 2022, infringement procedures began for noncompliant countries.

Why the world’s first hydrogen rail may not be as environmentally friendly as it seems
COP27: Coca-Cola sponsorship ‘undermines’ climate objectives, campaigners say
The directive aims to curb the SUP items most commonly found on beaches, including cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws and stirrers, balloons and sticks for balloons, food containers, cups for beverages, beverage containers, cigarette butts, plastic bags, packets and wrappers, wet wipes and sanitary items. Countries must avoid placing these products on the market when sustainable alternativesare easily available and affordable.

In addition, they must reduce the use of disposable plastic food containers and promote re-usable alternatives, collect 90 per cent of single-use plastic drinks bottles by 2029, ensure bottles contain minimum amounts of recycled plastic, and introduce labelling to inform users of the negative impact of littering plastic items.

Parliaments

UK introduces new law to protect seafarer employment rights
Parliaments

UK introduces new law to protect seafarer employment rights

According to Nautilus International, the Employment Rights Bill is expected to introduce new protections specifically devised for seafarers, toughening the laws around collective dismissal, and cementing seafarer wage protections in UK law. The Bill, being introduced to Parliament this week, will seek to outlaw fire and rehire by requiring employers to prove there is no reasonable financial alternative to letting staff go.

Canada approves new law to develop offshore wind on its Atlantic coast
Parliaments

Canada approves new law to develop offshore wind on its Atlantic coast

Canada’s Senate has approved a new law, named bill C-49, which is set to unlock the country’s offshore renewable energy potential in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, on Canada’s Atlantic coast. The bill, which includes the production of wind power as well as hydrogen, now awaits royal ascent.

California nurses applaud new law that provides transparency, improves equity in nursing education
Parliaments

California nurses applaud new law that provides transparency, improves equity in nursing education

California Nurses Association, the largest union of registered nurses in the state, applauds the signing of Senate Bill 1015 by Governor Gavin Newsom. Nurses say the new law, which was authored by Senator Dave Cortese and sponsored by CNA, is an essential step towards ensuring clinical placement opportunities for California’s future nurses, particularly for students attending public institutions like community colleges and state universities.

Seychelles' parliament adopts motion to make sign language official language
Parliaments

Seychelles' parliament adopts motion to make sign language official language

The National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion to designate Seychelles Deaf Language as an official national language, marking a significant milestone for the islands' hearing-impaired populationin. The motion was brought forward by Regina Esparon, the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) elected member for Glacis, on behalf of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, coinciding with the Deaf Week 2024.

Ireland: New law to ban disposable vapes and restrict flavours
Parliaments

Ireland: New law to ban disposable vapes and restrict flavours

Disposable vapes will be banned and vape flavours and colours restricted under new legislation proposed by the government. The Department of Health yesterday published the general scheme of the proposed Nicotine Inhaling Products Bill, which will introduce further restrictions on nicotine inhaling products or vapes.

Brazil calls EU to suspend anti-deforestation law
Parliaments

Brazil calls EU to suspend anti-deforestation law

Brasília urges the European Commission to reconsider its anti-deforestation rules, which could potentially impact Brazil’s exports by almost US$15 billion. The European legislation passed in 2022 includes a ban on the import of products from areas deforested from 2022 onwards, even if deforestation is legal in those areas. 

UK parliament recognizes Bitcoin and digital assets as personal property
Parliaments

UK parliament recognizes Bitcoin and digital assets as personal property

The UK Parliament has introduced the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Bill today to officially and legally recognize Bitcoin $57,732.86, cryptocurrencies, and other digital assets as personal property. This new law will, for the first time, formally protect digital assets such as Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and carbon credits under English law, News.Az reports citing Cointurk news.