The EU plans to ban certain single-use plastic products. It says plastic waste dumped in the ocean is seriously damaging marine ecosystems.
The European Commission proposed the rules to member countries and the European Parliament on Monday. The commission says less than 30 percent of plastic waste is recycled. Products made of the material make up 85 percent of the garbage found in oceans.
The proposal says single-use plastic products, including straws, forks, and plates, should be banned. It calls for use of paper and other materials as replacements. In January, the EU announced a plan to make all plastic packaging recyclable by 2030.
The U.S. is moving in the same direction. The state of California and New York City are considering bans on plastic straws at restaurants and cafes.
◆single-use使い捨ての
◆the European Parliamentヨーロッパ（欧州）議会
