The European Union have vowed to faze out single use plastics by 2021 following a vote by EU lawmakers as there is a push for manufacturers to step up their recycling efforts.
Increasing concern over plastic waste in oceans and China’s decision to stop processing waste have prompted the EU to take more drastic steps in tackling the issue of pollution.
EU countries will be able to choose their own methods of reducing single-use plastics such as take-out containers and beverage cups.
European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans says Europe is setting new and ambitious standards, paving the way for the rest of the world.