1. State of play EU Commission, Directorate-General Environment
Plastic Strategy
State of play
EU Commission, Directorate-General Environment
Brief outline of the presentation
What is marine litter?  Quantities, origin, pathways
How will the problem evolve?
What are the main impacts of marine litter?
EU action  TODAY?
 FUTURE?

2. 3 areas of investigation: Towards circular plastics
Key angles
3 areas of investigation:
Towards circular plastics
Alternative feed stock
Reduce litter
Hierarchisation – Preventing marine litter > Corrective actions
Several studies generating new data

3. Two ongoing studies: Microplastics 1. Intentionally added to products
2. Generated during the life cycle of products
= close coordination and collaboration between the two study teams and with ECHA
Environment

4. Task 2: Possible policy options Task 3: Comparison of the options
Microplastics
Study on microplastics generated during the life cycle of products:
Task 1: Available literature on sources and measures, problem definition and baseline scenario
Task 2: Possible policy options
Task 3: Comparison of the options
Task 4: Consultation of stakeholders

5. Illustration
Annual Emissions of micro-plastics to Surface Waters from the EU + NO and CH, Eunomia 2017

6. Study "on options on the reuse and recycling of plastics, and its links to marine litter"
Objective
improving the reuse and recycling of plastics,
reducing the leakage of plastics in the marine environment.
Tasks
analysis of key issues related to reuse and recycling of plastics, including down-cycling, leakages in the EU rivers and seas
identify priorities, achievable objectives, policy options
analyse the main impacts of selected options
Stakeholder consultation

7. Increase recyclability/reusability Actions on most found items
Key angles
Improve monitoring
Increase recyclability/reusability
Actions on most found items
Actions to reduce all micro plastics
International
… and much more ….

8. DG Environment, Unit D.2 Marine Environment and Water Industry
Thank you for your attention!