New EU rules on single use plastics to help reduce pollution

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has approved new EU rules designed to cut pollution.

The new EU rules proposed by the European Commission - including a complete ban on some products and information and awareness campaigns - will target the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.

Plastic decomposes slowly and so it accumulates in the seas, with plastic residues ending up in marine wildlife and therefore in the human food chain.

The new EU rules will come into force in 2021 if the European Parliament as a whole approves them this year.