Legislation approved ban on some single-use plastic from November
The government has approved legislation banning from November 1 the sale of certain single-use plastic products.
Portugal’s government has approved legislation banning from November 1 the sale of certain single-use plastic products, such as cotton swabs, cutlery, plates, straws and sticks for balloons.
In a news released, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action said that the law, which was approved at Thursday’s weekly cabinet meeting, represents “the partial transposition” of a European Union directive approved on June 5 2019 on “reducing the impact of single-use plastic products [and] products made of oxodegradable plastic.”
According to the notice, as of November 1 “the placing on the market of certain single-use plastic products such as cotton swabs, cutlery, plates, straws, balloon sticks, as well as cups and food containers made of expanded polystyrene is prohibited.”
In line with the EU directive, the government legislation sets two targets for the reduction of consumption of cups for drinks and packages for ready-to-eat food: an 80% decrease in consumption from the 2022 level by the end of 2026, and a 90% decrease by 2030.
According to the ministry, in order to ensure these goals measures are planned to be implemented from 2024, such as ensuring the availability of reusable containers for consumption of food and beverages, for which a deposit is to be charged.
It adds that, under a phased schedule, requirements will be established for the design of beverage containers, targets for the incorporation of recycled plastic in bottles for drinks and for the selective collection of bottles with a capacity of fewer than three litres, and the launch of consumer information and awareness campaigns by the producers of certain single-use plastic products.
