EU announces first European plastics strategy On 16 January, the European Commission announced the implementation of the first EU-wide strategy for plastics as an important step towards a more circular economy.

       The strategy aims to protect the environment from plastic pollution while promoting growth and innovation, turning the challenge into a positive agenda for Europe's future. According to the plan, by 2030 all plastic packaging on the EU market will be fully recyclable, the consumption of single-use plastics will be reduced and the deliberate use of plastic particles will be limited.

       It is estimated that Europeans produce around 25 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, but recycle less than 30% of it. Around the world, plastic accounts for 85% of beach litter. With plastic particles permeating the air, water and food, the tentacles of plastic are even reaching people's lungs and dinner tables. In addition, only 5% of plastic packaging material has any use, and the vast majority of the rest is lost very quickly after the first use, a cost that Europe cannot afford to spend between €7 billion and €105 billion a year on.

       Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission for Sustainable Development, warned that if Europe does not change the way it produces and uses plastic, there will be more plastic than fish in its oceans by 2050.

       The EC's Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Carlos Modas, said on his Facebook account that, to date, Horizon 2020 has provided more than 250 million euros to fund research into plastic recycling. The programme is increasing its support for innovative activities in this area and will invest an additional €100 million in developing smarter, more recyclable plastic materials, making plastic recycling more efficient and tracing and removing harmful substances and pollutants from recycled plastics.

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