The European Union votes to ban single-use plastics by 2021

The European Union has voted for a complete ban on a range of single-use plastics across the union in a bid to cut marine pollution. A plan to ban single-use plastic products such as disposable plates and straws has been agreed. Other items include cotton buds, cutlery, drink stirrers, sticks for balloons and food containers made of expanded polystyrene. All plastic bottles will have to have at least 30 % recycled content by 2030. Producers of tobacco filters containing plastic will have to cover the costs for public collection of cigarette stubs.