Germany Bans Single-Use Plastics by 2021
Posted in r/environment by u/Remiloudog • 2,521 points and 48 comments
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In a race to prevent the human race from drowning in plastic, Germany has put an abrupt end to the consumption of most major single-use plastics.
Plastic takeout containers, plates, cups, cutlery, straws, stirring sticks, cotton ear swabs, and balloon holders are all included on the list of items to be banned by July, 2021.
Single-use plastic shopping bags were already banned in the country last year.
It’s time to end “throw-away culture,” said Germany’s Environment Minister Svenja Schulze.
Canada took the lead on the movement last year, announcing it also would phase out most single-use plastics by 2021.
As we catapult toward a date (2050) when scientists estimate there will be more plastic than fish in the sea, more countries need to follow Canada and Germany’s example.
While there are no federal restrictions on single-use plastics in the United States, eight states — California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont — have banned single-use plastic bags.