FRANCE has passed a new law to ensure that all plastic cups, cutlery and plates can be composted and are made of biologically sourced materials.
The law, which comes into effect in 2020, is part of the Energy Transition for Green Growth, a plan that aims to allow France to make a more effective contribution to tackling climate change.
Although some ecologist organisations are in favour of the ban, others argue that it has violated EU rules on free movement of goods.
Pack2Go Europe, a Brussels-based organisation representing European packaging manufacturers, says it will keep fighting the new law and hopes it doesn't spread to the rest of the continent.
“We are urging the European Commission to do the right thing and take legal action against France for infringing European law,” said Pack2go Europe secretary-general Eamonn Bates. “If they don’t, we will.”
Bates believes there is no proof the biologically sourced materials are more environmentally beneficial, and that the ban might make the situation worse as people may misunderstand the extent of degradability.
“(The ban) will be understood by consumers to mean that it is okay to leave this packaging behind in the countryside after use because it’s easily biodegradable in nature. That's nonsense! It may even make the litter problem worse.”