FRANCE RESTRICTS PLASTIC BAGS

A year ago, the European Union made it compulsory for member states to take measures against very lightweight plastic bags, to keep yearly average use below 80 per person. As a result, the Netherlands introduced a ban on free plastic bags at the beginning of 2016. Lightweight plastic bags are, however, still allowed to be used for buying fruit and vegetables in supermarkets and on markets.

France has decided to take much stricter action. As of 1 July 2016, all single-use plastic bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns have been banned, regardless of their size and whether they are free or not. Consumers have to use reusable plastic bags (which are thicker than 50 microns) or bags made from something else. As of 1 January next year, all disposable plastic packaging, (as used for packaging all fruit and vegetables) up to the same thickness of 50 microns will be banned. Supermarkets in France had already decided to stop giving away free plastic bags earlier. Read more in this French article.

 The European directive also includes rules regarding so-called bioplastics. A standard needs to be developed for packaging which is suitable for home composting. The European Commission does not regard bioplastics which degrade using oxygen (oxo-degradable plastics) to be a solution to litter.

The new French legislation, in compliance with the European directive, also sets standards for bioplastics. For instance, in the future they must be home compostable (breaking down within 6 months at a temperature of 26 degrees). Plastic bags which break down via oxo-degradation are not considered a solution to litter.

However, the French legislation has failed to set a standard for the biodegradability of bioplastics in water. When bioplastics enter water and do not break down, the use of bags made from biodegradable plastics does not solve the problem of plastic soup.