(Finance) – The European Parliament, by a large majority, voted on European packaging regulation (Ppwr): 426 votes in favour, 125 against and 74 abstentions. The plenary approved a softer text than the commission’s initial proposal. Several amendments, presented by the majority groups, were in fact passed before the final vote on the proposed regulation. With today’s vote the European Parliament has therefore defined its opinion position negotiation: The Advise EU it will be defined on 18 December and we will then proceed with the trilogue, which will probably begin in January.
Parliament supported general objectives of packaging reduction proposed in the regulation: 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040. The deputies then proposed goals specific of waste reduction for plastic packaging (10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040). The deputies want to ban the sale of very light plastic bags (less than 15 microns), unless required for hygiene reasons or supplied as primary packaging for bulk foods, to help prevent food waste.
They also want to severely limit the use of some formats packaging single use, miniature hotel packaging for toiletries and shrink wrap for suitcases at airports. To prevent negative health effects, MPs are calling for a ban on the use of so-calledchemicals forever” intentionally added (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances or Pfas) and bisphenol A in packaging in contact with food. The deputies clarify i requirements for reuse or refilling of packaging. THE final distributors of drinks and takeaway food in the catering sector (including hotels, restaurants and bars) they should offer consumers the possibility to bring and use their own container. Insert, through amendments presented by the majority, some exceptions: for example temporarily excluding the food packaging in wood and wax.
“Recent events in Europe, and in particular in Belgium, regarding water pollution by PFAS chemicals, demonstrate the urgent need for action – said the rapporteur Frédérique Ries (Renew, BE) –. By voting to ban pollutants “forever” in food packaging, the European Parliament has shown that it wants to protect the health of European citizens. On plastic, the contract has been fulfilled, as my legislative report tackles the heart of the problem by setting tougher waste reduction targets for plastic packaging. Unfortunately, as regards the circular economy, and in particular prevention, the outcome of the plenary vote is not as positive and ignores the reality of the figures: an increase of 30% by 2030 if we do not act now. Of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), only recycling emerged unscathed. The end of disposable packaging is still far away.”
Full satisfaction was expressed by the Italian government. “The European Parliament’s negotiating position on the proposed packaging regulation allows common sense and science to win. The approved amendments, in particular those which, in the face of a recycling rate of 85%, revise reuse obligations and bans on the use of packaging, aim to protect the environment, without dismantling the system built over the years with the same institutions Europeans and virtuous recycling companies. Now Italy will continue its determined negotiating action having received a very important signal from the European Parliament”, declared the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Picket.
“Italy has won a battle in Europe, with the strength of common sense motivating our actions. The changes made by the European Parliament are important, significant and represent a turning point compared to the ideological vision of the original text. It is necessary to continue on this path also during the Trilogue phase because further improvements are necessary to fully protect European productive and social assets, validating the extraordinary commitment of Italian companies and citizens to recycling and therefore to environmental sustainability, which finally obtains recognition in Parliament European. We will continue on this path in every forum so that reason prevails”, commented the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Ursus.
(Photo: © European Union 2019 – Source: EP)