According to European legislation (EU) 904/2019 and its implementation in Greece with regulation 4736/2020, specific plastic products named as “single use plastics (SUP)” are gradually reduced in the market. Among these materials, production of plastic cutlery, plates and plastic straws is ceased and more environmentally friendly alternatives are to be found. The legislation refers not only to plastic products, but also packaging made of expanded polystyrene (e.g., disposable cups used for hot drinks).
Furthermore, for specific products, such as sanitary napkins, tampons and wet wipes, specific labelling is needed, which will guide the consumers to dispose them responsibly and will inform them about the effects on the environment in case of mistreatment.
Worth noting is that companies, which have already produced or imported such products before the deadline of 3rd July, are allowed to continue placing them on the market, until out of stock.
Last, but not least, the aforementioned legislation sets specific goals for some other key products, which aim at sustainability. For example, by 2025, plastic bottles made from PET (e.g., water bottles), should contain at least 25 % recycled content by mass in their matrix.
It is clear that all actions mentioned above aim at reducing waste and packaging disposal, leading consumers to more sustainable solutions and promoting the extended consumer responsibility (ECR).
