The Environmental Commission of the Congress of Deputies is going to prohibit the import, commercialization, and export of plastic utensils (plates, glasses, cutlery, or straws) by 2020. The year in which these products must also be made up of at least 50% biodegradable substances from organic materials, and 60% by 2025. This initiative joins France (the first country to adopt this measure) and other related ones such as the prohibition of coffee capsules in Hamburg, bags plastic in Modbury (England) and California, and single-use utensils in the Balearic Islands, where razors, wet wipes, ear buds, lighters and plastic bags will also be banned by 2020 .
The United Nations Environment Program estimates that between 15% and 40% of the plastic produced in the world ends up every year in the seas, which means more than 8 million tons per year. Given this worrying situation, the European Union wants to guarantee that by 2030 all plastic packaging is recyclable (Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy).
There is more and more evidence of the serious effects of plastics on the environment, and the urgency to find ways to stop and turn this reality around involves applying effective and comprehensive measures that change consumption habits and extend life of the products. For example, the Deposit, Refund and Return System (SDDR), which works so well in Germany shows that there is alternatives in management and commitment between citizens and companies.
On the other hand, the proportions of waste produced in other sectors are also alarming. In the case of food, it is estimated that 1/3 of what is produced is wasted. This amount could feed 2 billion people and thus end the hunger currently experienced by 800 million people (video ).
While recycling rates in Europe show greater social awareness, with a considerable increase in recent years, European policies seek to achieve more ambitious goals with policies aimed at prioritizing no waste generation. From there we must begin to configure more circular production and consumption systems, which serve to leave behind this current model of using and throwing away so carefree.