Plastic bags are a major contributor to pollution in Europe. They often end up as litter in the environment, where they take centuries to break down. Many of these bags are used only once before being thrown away, leading to widespread waste and harm to wildlife.
In response to this issue, the EU introduced the Plastic Bags Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/720) to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags.
Measures to cut plastic bag use
The directive requires EU Member States to take action to limit the number of plastic bags used each year. Governments have been given two options to meet this goal:
- Ensure that, by the end of 2019, each person uses no more than 90 lightweight plastic bags per year, reducing to 40 bags per year by the end of 2025.
- Prevent shops from giving lightweight plastic bags away for free, unless other equally effective measures are in place.
Very lightweight plastic bags, often used for hygiene reasons or to package loose food, are not included in the main reduction targets. However, countries must still report their use.
Monitoring progress and next steps
Since 2020, EU countries have been required to submit annual reports on plastic bag consumption. This data is collected by Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office, to assess the effectiveness of the directive.
The European Commission has also carried out studies to evaluate how well these measures are working and whether further action is needed.
The directive is closely linked to the Single-Use Plastics Directive, which aims to tackle the most commonly littered plastic items found on beaches. Under these rules, producers of very lightweight plastic bags must help cover the cost of waste collection, litter clean-up, and public awareness campaigns.
Additionally, Member States must educate consumers about reusable alternatives and the environmental impact of littering.
Impact on businesses and consumers
The directive has already led to significant reductions in plastic bag use across Europe.
Many retailers now charge for plastic bags or encourage customers to bring reusable alternatives. Some countries have also introduced bans on lightweight plastic bags, while others have imposed taxes or levies to discourage their use.
As the EU continues to review its packaging regulations, further restrictions on plastic waste may be introduced in the future. These efforts form part of a broader strategy to reduce plastic pollution and promote more sustainable packaging solutions.
