Next step in reinforcing the circular economy

Knowledge Database (KDB) includes SUP legislation in its portfolio

In the modern world, it is almost impossible to imagine our daily life without plastics. Plastic is literally everywhere! On the one hand, it plays an important role in our economy but, on the other hand, it is one of the main sources of littering.

In 2019, understanding the need for a new circular approach to solving the plastic littering problem, the EU issued the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive.

The Directive targets the 10 most commonly found SUP products on European beaches – such as beverage containers, cigarette butts and plastic bags – and changes the way SUP products are designed, produced and recycled.

Depending on the product, the Directive sets up various measures, ranging from bans on placing on the market – for example, for products made of oxo-degradable plastic – to design and consumption reduction measures.

The recycled content obligation is another significant measure. According to the SUP Directive, PET beverage bottles must contain 25% recycled plastic by 2025, and this percentage will increase to 30% by 2030.

Each year, more and more countries outside the EU actively issue laws addressing the environmental pollution caused by SUP products. In addition, some countries already have legislation establishing recycled content obligations that go beyond the scope of beverage bottles.

With Landbell Group’s Knowledge Database – part of its regulatory tracking service portfolio – you can always stay up to date with the progress of SUP legislation covering beverage containers, cups, plastic bags and fishing gear in all European and African countries. Find out more here.