Filenews 21 September 2022
As of October 1st, the EU Directive 2019/904 on single-use plastics will also enter into force in Cyprus and the placing on the market of relevant products will now be banned, recalls in a written statement the President of the Ecologist movement, Charalambos Theopemptou.
As it states, the sale of the products will be prohibited: cotton buds, unless they fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2017/745, cutlery [forks, knives, spoons, "chopsticks" of food), dishes, straws, unless they fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2017/745, beverage stirrers.
Also, sticks that are attached to and support balloons, with the exception of sticks that support balloons for industrial or other professional uses and applications that are not distributed to consumers, including mechanisms for such sticks.
Food containers made of expanded polystyrene, i.e. receptible containers such as boxes, with or without a lid, in which food that (a) is intended for immediate consumption either on-site or outside the store, (b) is usually consumed from the container, will also be prohibited, it is stated; and (c) are ready for consumption without further preparation, such as cooking, boiling or heating, including containers used for fast food meals or other meals ready for immediate consumption, except beverage containers, plates and packets and wrappers containing food;
The beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene and their caps and covers and cups made of expanded polystyrene and their caps and covers are also indicated.
The reality is that because the implementation of the Directive, says Mr. Theopemptou, entered the rest of the EU countries last year, those in Cyprus who procured these materials from European countries brought the right products. A typical example, he adds, are the cotton buds that are now made of wood or pressed paper.
It notes that the problem remains with those who make direct imports where customs will now have to identify them, but unfortunately also the illegal supplies from the occupied territories.
"The war against plastics has several stages that are being implemented on predetermined dates."
Before we had the restriction of the plastic bag, now we have the restriction of these 9 products with the next actions, according to Charalambos Theopemptou focusing on reducing consumption, x Separate collection and design requirements for single-use plastic bottles, mandatory marking, expanded producer responsibility and awareness raising.
The President of Ecologists reminds that based on Regulation K.D.P. 68/2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment from 18/02/2023 onwards, the disposal of plastic transport bags at the counters of the stores will be completely prohibited.
