Hazidakis said that the Greek authorities will incorporate the EU directive on the ban on the use of single-use plastics into the bill within six months, and will gradually implement it from January 1, 2021, to allow companies and the public sufficient time Make adjustments. He also said that the authorities will provide consumers with more incentives, including encouraging the reuse of single-use plastic bottles.
The Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece, Hazidakis, said that the Greek authorities will include the EU directive on the ban on the use of single-use plastics in the bill within six months. From January 1, 2021, it will be gradually implemented to allow enterprises and the public sufficient time to make adjustments. He also said that the authorities will provide consumers with more incentives, including encouraging the reuse of single-use plastic bottles.
According to reports, single-use plastics include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, beverage bottles, water bottles, and most food packaging.
Hazidakis pointed out that the Greek people consume about 1 million plastic coffee cups every day. Among the garbage found in the ocean, 85% are plastic products, and 50% of them are disposable plastics. "This cannot continue", so the Greek authorities this environmental protection plan is being promoted. He said that Greek Prime Minister Mizotakis also strongly supported, but the plan must be completed with the participation of all the people.
According to the requirements of the European Commission, EU member states must ban the use of single-use plastic products by July 2021.
Previously, Greece introduced the "Plastic Restriction Order" from January 1, 2018. Today, most people in Greece already have the habit of using eco-friendly bags, which has caused the rapid decline in the consumption rate of single-use plastic bags. According to a survey released by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA) in early 2020, compared with 2017, the use of single-use plastic bags in Greek supermarkets fell by 98.6% in 2019.
Over the past three years, the Greeks have purchased more than 17 million reusable bags. The distribution of biodegradable plastic bags has risen to 37 million in 2019.
But Greece still lags behind other EU countries in recycling waste, especially plastics. According to the Greek Lascaridis Charitable Foundation, Greece imports about 700,000 tons of plastic raw materials every year and discards 40,000 tons of plastic, of which 70% is left on the coast. Every summer, 76% of the waste plastic is on the coast , And the recovery rate is only 8%.
Some restaurants are using bagasse pulp tableware, CPLA disposable cutlery knife fork spoon, paper straw to replace the use of plastic products. Many people take non woven eco bag or green paper bags when shopping. With the promulgation of restrictions on plastics, more and more alternatives will appear in life.
