- Rebecca Harkness
Design Related News > Single-use plastics
Via BBC News
The European Union is proposing a ban on single-use plastics to help protect marine life.
The proposals are aimed at outlawing many commonplace plastic items including straws, cotton buds, cutlery, balloon sticks and drink stirrers.
The governing body also wants almost all plastic bottles to be collected for recycling by 2025.
The plan will need to be approved by the 28 member states and the European Parliament before it can be passed.
The EU estimates that the ban will help:
Avoid 3.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions
Prevent damage to the environment that would cost the equivalent of €22bn (£19.2bn) by 2030
Save consumers €6.5bn.