EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE PLASTIC STRATEGY AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

On March 20th, SAFE attended an exchange of views at the European Parliament on the European Commission’s
Plastic Strategy aimed at protecting the environment from plastic pollution. Stakeholders from both the
industry and civil society were invited to give their opinion on this new strategy issued by the Commission. If all
stakeholders generally welcomed the Commission’s initiative, NGOs, as well as members of the European
Parliament (MEPs) from across the political spectrum, underlined that some parts of the strategy could be
improved.

CONTEXT

As we all know, plastic is one of the most used materials in our modern society and we can find it
everywhere in our daily life. If this material is undoubtedly extremely practical, its use is not without
any grave consequences both for the environment and human health. Some of this plastic (between
2% and 5%) ends up in oceans, causing a dangerous pollution for the world marine flora and fauna.
Another part of this plastic is simply burned, increasing the CO2 released in our atmosphere thus
contributing to climate change. Finally, some of it is just landfilled, while only a small fraction (30%) is
recycled. Moreover, the everyday use of plastic in food packaging represents a real health issue as
some of the substances present in this material (such as Bisphenol A) have been recognized as having
potential adverse effects on human health.

In light of this reality and in line with the priorities of its 2015 Circular Economy Action Plan (a plan
designed to improve the sustainable use of resources in Europe), the European Commission was
supposed to develop a strategy on plastic by 2017. The European Parliament also encouraged the
Commission in that sense by voting a resolution on plastic in January 2014. This resolution called for
binding targets on plastic recycling, and for an interdiction of the most dangerous plastics as well as a
removal of those containing substances impeding their recycling.

On 16 January 2018, the Commission finally published its Plastic Strategy. In this document, the
Commission lays out the key identified issues regarding plastic use in the European Union and its
vision to face those challenges. In a nutshell, the key challenges identified are the low rates of
recycling and reuse of plastics, the presence of plastic waste in oceans, and the CO2 problem caused
by the high percentage of plastic incinerated. Regarding the plan to solve these issues, the core
solution proposed by the Strategy is:

- Make sure that all plastic packaging will be designed to be recyclable by 2030;
- Reduce the use of single-use plastics;
- Restrict the use of micro-plastics.

To achieve these objectives, the Commission proposes to focus on promoting investment and
innovation regarding plastic recycling and on improving the quality and the economic attractiveness
of plastic recycling.

The exchange of views of 20 March allowed various stakeholders from all sides to share their
knowledge and point of view towards this Strategy.

SAFE – Safe Food Advocacy Europe A.S.B.L. 1

Mundo B- Rue d’Edimbourg 26
1050 Brussels Belgium
+32 (0) 28 93 08 96
www.safefoodadvocacy.eu
THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

First to speak was Ms Saskia Walraedt, Senior Advisor in Sustainable Development at Essencia, the
Belgian chemical industry federation. She congratulated the European Commission on the Plastic
Strategy, underlining how she appreciated that the value of plastic in our economy was
acknowledged. Ms Walraedt then insisted on the fact that plastics should not be considered as a
problem, as the only real issue is plastic that is not recycled. Regarding this issue, she absolutely
agreed with the Plastic Strategy that we must increase the percentage of recycled plastic, which
would create jobs and new economic opportunities. She added that we should encourage the
industry that uses plastic packaging to invest in research and innovation to better recycle. Ms
Walraedt concluded by saying that a legal definition was needed for single-use plastics.

The next to intervene was Ms Emma Priestland, Marine Litter Policy Officer at Seas at Risk, an NGO
promoting policies for marine protection. Ms Priestland started by underlining that she was not only
speaking on behalf of Seas at Risk, but also on the behalf of the Rethink Plastic Alliance, a coalition of
several NGOs militating to reduce plastic pollution. She expressed her content regarding the Plastic
Strategy. However, although she confirmed that this strategy is a step forward, she insisted that
several points have to be improved. For example, Ms Priestland asserted that while the increase of
plastic recycling is an improvement, the widespread use of plastic still has to be reduced. She also
mentioned that the use of some dangerous plastics should simply be prohibited. Finally, Ms
Priestland insisted that single-use plastics are the first cause of marine pollution and that it is urgent
to act.

The next intervention was from Ms Patricia Vangheluwe, Consumer and Environmental Affairs
Director at PlasticsEurope, a European trade-association representing plastic producers all over
Europe. Ms Vangheluwe asserted that through their voluntary engagement, plastic producing
companies would increase plastic recycling up to 60% by 2030 and would also reduce plastic leakage.
Those companies will also put in place different controls to make sure that they achieve those
targets. Ms Vangheluwe then insisted that the plastic industry is not responsible for the plastic
pollution resulting from waste mismanagement and consumers inappropriate behaviour. She also
underlined the need for a definition of single-use plastics.

The last stakeholder to intervene before the European Commission was Mr Aaro Mäkimattila,
Packaging Management Developper at Atria, a Finnish food company. Mr Mäkimattila insisted that it
is possible to create new food packaging that would reduce the use of plastic, but if we really want to
reduce the environmental plastic pollution, it is necessary to inform consumers and change their
behaviour.

On behalf of the Commission, Mr Kestutis Sadauskas, Director of Directorate B at the DG

Environment and responsible for the Circular Economy and Green Growth, shortly intervened saying
that the points of view expressed confirmed that they found the right balance between all
stakeholders’ interests regarding the Plastic Strategy.

MEPs were then invited to ask questions to all speakers. Several MEPs from all political parties
intervened. MEP Piernicola Pedicini (Italy, Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group) raised
concerns regarding the toxic substances used in some plastics. MEP Marco Affronte (Italy, Greens)
asked for more information on the use of bio-plastics and on the measures taken concerning the
micro-plastics. MEP Miriam Dalli (Malta, Socialists & Democrats) raised the same concerns and
insisted on the importance of the marine litter issue.

SAFE – Safe Food Advocacy Europe A.S.B.L. 2

Mundo B- Rue d’Edimbourg 26
1050 Brussels Belgium
+32 (0) 28 93 08 96
www.safefoodadvocacy.eu
MEP Simona Bonafè (Italy, Socialists and Democrats) underlined the fact that it is also necessary to
look at the plastic problem from an economic point of view. She explained that it is important to
create an attractive second used plastics market, so the industry would have an incentive to act.

MEP Angélique Delahaye (France, Group of the European People’s Party) deplored the fact that not
enough is being done to find alternatives materials for plastics and asserted that we should focus on
this issue. Other MEPs such as Françoise Grossetête (France, Group of the European People’s Party)
and Margrete Auken (Denmark, Greens) deplored that not enough has been done to stop plastic
pollution. Ms Grossetête also asked if something is going to be done concerning a tax on plastic, a
question also raised by MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz (Germany, Group of the European People’s Party).

Response to MEPs’ questions

Ms Walraedt from Essencia, gave some clarifications on the bio-plastics. Ms Priestland from Seas at
Risk also gave some insight on bio-plastics and insisted on the fact that bio-plastics could be useful
but cannot be the answer to the all-plastic pollution issue. Concerning the micro-plastics, Ms
Priestland explained that once they are released in the sea it is to late to get rid of them. Therefore,
she emphasized the importance of acting before micro-plastics end up in nature. Concerning micro-
plastics, Ms Vangheluwe from PlasticsEurope confirmed that it is essential to act before their release
in nature. Ms Vangheluwe also insisted that the recycling issue should be kept separate from the
issue of rubbish abandonment. Regarding the use of plastic substitutes, she assured that it would be
costlier for the environment to use them instead of recycled plastics. Finally, Mr Sadauskas from the
European Commission concluded the meeting by confirming that the Commission is currently
examining possible tax measures regarding plastic recycling, but has not yet taken any decisions.

SAFE – Safe Food Advocacy Europe A.S.B.L. 3

Mundo B- Rue d’Edimbourg 26
1050 Brussels Belgium
+32 (0) 28 93 08 96
www.safefoodadvocacy.eu