Single-Use Plastics directive

EU Directive 2019/904, also known as the Single-Use Plastics Directive, is an EU rule designed to reduce plastic waste.

A specific rule in this directive says that from July 2024, beverage containers up to 3 litres for single-use can only be sold if the cap remains on during use. This should reduce the number of plastic caps lying around as litter.

Besides the cap measure, there are other measures within this EU directive:

• Banning certain disposable plastic products for which alternatives are available. E.g. Plastic straws, plates, disposable cups, etc.
• Targets for reducing the use of disposable plastic products, including plastic food and drink packaging. E.g. PET bottles should consist of at least 25% recycled plastic by 2025
• Producer responsibility for funding litter clean-ups and awareness-raising measures.
• Required labelling on certain plastic products to inform consumers about environmental impacts and proper waste disposal.