Words by Smiley Team
In a concerted effort, Spanish shops will phase out plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables. By 2023, this government decree aims to ensure that no produce weighing under 1.5kg is wrapped in it.
A government spokesperson said the aim was to “combat in the most effective way the overuse of packaging”.
The decree, drafted by the Spanish government’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, follows France’s example who have adopted similar legislation expected to come into force in 2022.
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Spain’s new policy measures include efforts to encourage the public to buy unpackaged items and cease from purchasing bottled water. They hope to make 100% of packaging recyclable and to halve the number of plastic bottles used for drinks by 2030.
To phase out the sale of bottled water, authorities are considering measures such as to “encourage the installation of drinking fountains in public spaces,” by “introducing alternatives to the sale of bottled drinks,” and forbidding single-use cups at public events, beginning in 2023.
The move came after years of campaign work from organisations such as Greenpeace, who see this as a welcome step but some believe there is further still to go.
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Plastic waste in Europe remains a significant issue, with 14.8 million tonnes of plastic disposed of in 2018 alone.
To overcome this challenge, the executive director of PlasticsEurope, Karl Foerster, has advised: "For a truly circular and resource efficient society, it is essential to put in place proper waste management systems in Europe to ensure the recovery of all valuable resources.”
