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The end of plastic? The EU’s directive on single-use plastics and its implementation in Poland
Summary
Researchers surveyed Polish manufacturers, retailers, and consumers about the EU's 2019 directive banning many single-use plastics, finding broad agreement on the need to reduce disposable plastics, with reusable alternatives and chemical recycling seen as the most promising solutions. While consumers blamed producers and producers blamed consumers, both groups agreed that education and systemic change are needed to move away from throwaway plastic culture.
We are drowning in a sea of plastic. Not only do marine animals ingest or get entangled in (micro) plastic, but it also ends up in the food chain, including in humans. This plastic comes from mainly single-use products. “Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment” introduced numerous restrictions on their production. However, its effectiveness depends on national implementations that are delayed due to, inter alia, the objections of manufacturers. In this article, we present research conducted on Polish companies producing single-use plastic products, on sellers (retail outlets and food service establishments) and consumers. The results show that all study groups agree on the need to reduce the production of disposable plastics. The most frequently indicated solution is the introduction of reusable products to the market (in line with the circular economy notion), which would still be synthetic polymers. Manufacturers emphasize that promising chemical recycling technologies are emerging for all plastic waste. In addition, both consumers and producers are increasingly focused on products made of alternative materials, as consumers (especially from large cities) are increasingly averse to plastic in general, which was also pointed out by sellers. Consumers surveyed believe that the “Plastics Directive” is needed and blame the producers of disposable plastics for the condition of the environment, while manufacturers highlight irresponsible consumer behaviour and the need for more education in this regard.