France, Italy And The US Have Introduced New Limits On Plastic Bags

From January 1, 2022, France will ban the sale of fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5kg in plastic packaging, covering 30 types of fruit and vegetables including bananas, pears, lemons, cucumbers and carrots.

The ban on plastic packaging for some fruits and vegetables can be delayed.

The ban also applies to organic fruits and vegetables, but does not apply to processed products that have been cut or peeled, bulk fruits and vegetables weighing more than 1.5kg and those that spoil easily in the open.

From January 14, 2022, disposable items will be banned in Italy, including balloons and balloon sticks, beverage bottles with a capacity of more than three liters, disposable plastic cutlery (knives, forks, plates), straws, plastic bags and other items.

It should be noted that the ban only applies to products made entirely of non-degradable plastics and single-use purpose items. Plastic products can continue to be used as long as they contain more than 40 percent recycled material, and this percentage will rise to more than 60 percent from 2024.

New York state's ban on styrofoam containers went into effect on January 1, 2022.

Under the ban, effective January 1, 2022, the state of New York prohibits anyone engaged in the sale or distribution of prepared food or beverages for indoor or outdoor consumption from selling, offering to sell, or distributing disposable food service containers containing styrofoam. No manufacturer or store is permitted to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose packing in the state of New York.

Prohibited single-use styrofoam containers include bowls, cartons, hinged "flip" containers, cups, LIDS, plates, trays or any other design, or containers used for temporary storage or transportation of prepared food or beverages, as well as containers generally considered designed for single-use use.

Additionally, on July 13, 2021, the American Chemical Society released five platforms for action, the first of which called for a federal policy requiring all plastic packaging to use at least 30 percent recycled material by 2030 through the adoption of a "National Recycled Plastics Standard."

In the National Plastics Plan 2021, Australia has set a target of plastic packaging, with 50% recycled material content in all packaging by 2025, and 20% recycled material in plastic packaging.

In addition, single-use plastic bowls, cold and hot food cups, plates, cutlery, mixers and straws will be banned in WA from 1 January 2022. In addition, the use of thick plastic, bag foam polystyrene food containers, etc.