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Disposable plastic: For years, politicians have been trying to claim manufacturers for disposal, now it should work
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Anton Petrus/Getty Images
Politicians have already tried many things to curb plastic waste: from deposit systems to bans on disposable tableware and certain packaging.
But the environment is still suffering.
Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke therefore now wants to ask the manufacturers of single-use plastic to pay, and they should soon contribute to the costs of removing the relevant waste from parks and streets.
A corresponding draft law is in the works, the Greens politician told the dpa news agency.
Specifically, it is about setting up a fund for single-use plastic (single-use plastic fund), into which the manufacturers should pay, depending on the quantity they sell.
Lemke is considering a minimum quota for returnable bottles
A “special levy with a financing function” is planned, according to the corresponding draft bill, which is being coordinated between the ministries.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, it is to be decided by the Federal Cabinet in the autumn.
The background to the project is the EU single-use plastics directive.
According to it, the member states have to implement the responsibility of the manufacturers nationally.
This applies to take-away containers, bags and film packaging, beverage cups and containers, lightweight carrier bags, wet wipes, balloons and tobacco filters.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the exact type and amount of the planned tax has not yet been determined.
Lemke's predecessor Svenja Schulze (SPD) announced the first plans to hold the manufacturers accountable two years ago.
According to Lemke's ministry, the fact that the implementation is taking so long is due to studies relating to the implementation.
Lemke said on the so-called World Clean Up Day (World Cleanup Day) on Saturday that the pollution of the environment must come to an end.
"Carelessly thrown away single-use plastic is not only a major nuisance, but the pollution crisis is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time," says Lemke.
»Not disposable plastic, but reusable should become the new standard.«
From 2023, restaurants, bistros and cafés must also offer drinks and food for on the go in reusable containers.
Lemke said she could also imagine introducing a minimum quota for returnable bottles.
Discounters in particular have so far consistently opted for one-way beverages, but point out that the PET bottles are made from recycled material.
apr/dpa
