The Government has announced plans for a war on single use plastic with a significant package of measures designed to reduce the impact of economic activities on the environment.
Spain currently recycles only 37.8% of the nation´s waste. By 2030 the Government aims to reduce the generation of waste by 15 percent.
According to the draft law, expected to be in front of Congress in the first six months of next year, plastic cutlery will be banned as will micro plastics in cosmetics and detergents.
Bars and restaurants, responsible for a large percentage of bottled water in plastic bottles sold in Spain, will be obliged to offer free tap water.
The concern over tons and tons of plastic currently contaminating land and sea forced the EU to approve (between 2018 -19) norms to reduce the generation of waste. These norms include obligations to put an end to single use plastic.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition has declared that the Covid-19 crisis will not distract the Government from “preventing the use abuse of single use plastic,” which ends its life on the beaches and in the sea.
The department has also been concerned over the increase of plastic rubbish during the health crisis and made recommendations last week to avoid the use of disposable mask and gloves.
The draft law includes the prohibition of various product s from July 3 2021 such as cotton buds, plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers, little plastic sticks on balloons and polystyrene holders and cups for drinks including the lids.
Micro plastics in detergents and cosmetics will be banned.
The norm also establishes that 77% of plastic bottles on the market must be collected separately from 2025. In 2029 this will rise to 90%. The law also presents the possibility of a system of deposit and return of plastic bottles although this may not be included immediately.
From 2023 plastic containers used for take away food will no longer be free of charge. Each item will have a price. Moreover these items will be gradually eliminated by 70% by 2030 and replaced by reusable materials not plastic.
A new law introduces fines for dumping waste in natural spaces and allowing dangerous waste to enter the country. The fines will be between 50,001 and two million euros.
Finally, the law requires, in line with a European directive, that producers declare how many plastic containers they release onto the market in order to ensure they are all recycled.
