Following its ban on plastic bags in July, France took it a step further. A new measure took effect last month, which forces plastic dish manufacturers to start making their products only from biodegradable material by 2020.
Ecologists are applauding the new law, but not everybody is happy. Some speculate that it violates European Union rules on free movement of goods and hurts the consumers. “We are urging the European Commission to do the right thing and to take legal action against France for infringing European law. If they don’t, we will,” Pack2Go Europe, an organization representing European packaging manufacturers told The Associated Press.
The ban aims not only to reduce the pollution caused by plastic, but to lower the energy consumed and waste produced by the plastic processing industry.
(h/t: bigstory, mashable | Facebook image: Emilia Lives Life)
Image credits: Mr.TinDC
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"Some speculate that it violates European Union rules on free movement of goods and hurts the consumers," *rolling eyes* someone call the WAAAAH-mbulance! I'd rather it hurt my wallet and pay more for something biodegradable than hurt more of the environment!
Unfortunately, few people think like you and ignore that then future generations will pay the price.
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Until uo
Unfortunately, while travelling, sometimes you can't avoid polluting packages of things you buy on the go.
The more society moves in this direction, the easier it will be for the individual as programs will be implemented that support reusable containers, such as maybe exchanges where you pick up a clean container when you turn in a dirty one for cleaning. It is difficult to avoid polluting because our society promotes polluting. These sorts of movements should make it easier to avoid.
It's not a bad thing, Amanda, and I agree with you (downvote cancelled, btw, the page is a bit slow), I just wanted to point out that, no matter your conscience, sometimes life goes against your opinions, and you have to betray yourself (and the invironment, in this case), even though it hurts.
Even still... I don't think limiting plastic use is a bad thing, so down vote away!
Cassie, I'm French (32 yo) and some years ago (until I was 10 yo if I remember correctly) we had such a system for glass bottles. We called it "consigne". Each week my mother brought back the empty bottles and we won some cents to spent on new bottles. It was an awesome system and I never understood why it disappeared or why it was only for glass (well, I know it's because glass is easy to clean and reuse, but...)
I seem to have no trouble avoiding it.
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Your waaaambulance has arrived.
This should have been a world wide law ages ago. I'm glad its starting somewhere. I hope that everywhere takes notice and does the same thing.
Don't dream, it's only a project... We have presidential election next year and sadly I fear this is only words to please some people and will be long forgotten before the 2020 deadline. I hope really really hard that I'm wrong but I have no faith on any of our potential candidates.
EXCELLENT! America, can we be next please??
America... Ha ha ha! Land of the capitalists will be last in line for things like this unless there's a profit to be made above the status quo.
Well, there is lots of profit. Problem is, the profit is not money.
"Some speculate that it violates European Union rules on free movement of goods and hurts the consumers," *rolling eyes* someone call the WAAAAH-mbulance! I'd rather it hurt my wallet and pay more for something biodegradable than hurt more of the environment!
Unfortunately, few people think like you and ignore that then future generations will pay the price.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Until uo
Unfortunately, while travelling, sometimes you can't avoid polluting packages of things you buy on the go.
The more society moves in this direction, the easier it will be for the individual as programs will be implemented that support reusable containers, such as maybe exchanges where you pick up a clean container when you turn in a dirty one for cleaning. It is difficult to avoid polluting because our society promotes polluting. These sorts of movements should make it easier to avoid.
It's not a bad thing, Amanda, and I agree with you (downvote cancelled, btw, the page is a bit slow), I just wanted to point out that, no matter your conscience, sometimes life goes against your opinions, and you have to betray yourself (and the invironment, in this case), even though it hurts.
Even still... I don't think limiting plastic use is a bad thing, so down vote away!
Cassie, I'm French (32 yo) and some years ago (until I was 10 yo if I remember correctly) we had such a system for glass bottles. We called it "consigne". Each week my mother brought back the empty bottles and we won some cents to spent on new bottles. It was an awesome system and I never understood why it disappeared or why it was only for glass (well, I know it's because glass is easy to clean and reuse, but...)
I seem to have no trouble avoiding it.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Your waaaambulance has arrived.
This should have been a world wide law ages ago. I'm glad its starting somewhere. I hope that everywhere takes notice and does the same thing.
Don't dream, it's only a project... We have presidential election next year and sadly I fear this is only words to please some people and will be long forgotten before the 2020 deadline. I hope really really hard that I'm wrong but I have no faith on any of our potential candidates.
EXCELLENT! America, can we be next please??
America... Ha ha ha! Land of the capitalists will be last in line for things like this unless there's a profit to be made above the status quo.
Well, there is lots of profit. Problem is, the profit is not money.