Putting an end to pollution caused by plastic bags

Plastic bags are a major source of pollution, but also a threat to wildlife on a global scale. The EU wants to stop this. On Tuesday 28 April MEPs debate and vote on new rules to limit the use of lightweight plastic bags. Find data on how many plastic bags Europeans use and how they harm the environment in the infographic.

On average every European uses 200 plastic bags per year and 89% of these bags are used only once. Under the new rules EU countries would be required to choose between two approaches to reduce the use of lightweight plastic bags:

• Bring down the number of lightweight plastic bags used by each person to 90 bags per person every year by the end of 2019 and to no more than 40 bags per person by 2025, and;
• put an end to plastic bags being given away for free when buying goods by the end of 2018.

The new rules would also have to be approved by the Council before they could enter into force.

Follow the discussion live on Tuesday 28 April around 10h CET and the vote after 12h30 CET.

European Parliament adopts EU legislation on lightweight plastic carrier bags