Greenpeace against disposable plastic Press Release - March 15, 2017 Plastic waste is causing great damage to the environment, both on land and in the sea. It is estimated that an average of eight million tons of plastic per year end up in the oceans and seas where it endangers the animal world, and as plastic accumulates and breaks down into smaller parts in the sea and at the seabed, plastic contamination enters the food chain. Zagreb, March 14, 2017 - European leaders this year have the opportunity to introduce serious measures to reduce marine and ocean pollution by plastics. As part of the package of measures of the EU's circular economy, the cause of the problem can be solved. Representatives in the European Parliament today voted on these measures and demand that by 2030, 70% of waste recycled, compared to today's 44%, and landfills land only 5% of waste. These are ambitious goals, but they have to be confirmed by the Council of the European Union. Plastic waste is causing great damage to the environment, both on land and in the sea. It is estimated that an average of eight million tons of plastic per year end up in the oceans and seas where it endangers the animal world, and as plastic accumulates and breaks down into smaller parts in the sea and at the seabed, plastic contamination enters the food chain. The rubbing of plastic waste has drastically increased in the world and 60-80% of waste is considered to be plastic in the sea. This number is alarmingly increasing. Between 2002 and 2013, the amount of plastic waste grew by almost 50% annually! It is expected that this figure will reach 500 million tons in 2020. The European Union now has the opportunity to gradually abolish one-time plastic packaging and to highlight itself as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution. In the course of the 2017, within the Action Plan for the Circular Economy, three directives related to plastics will be amended (Waste Directive, Waste Landfill Directive and Packaging and Packaging Directive). Furthermore, plastic waste is considered a priority theme in this action plan, and this year the European Plastics Strategy is also adopted. "The European Union has shown that it has a leading role in environmental issues. But even though the seriousness of the problem is recognized, the EU still does not take measures to tackle plastic pollution. National governments should take this opportunity and act to bring significant measures to eliminate plastic waste and to reduce waste generation at source in European law, "said Zoran Tomić, head of Greenpeace in Croatia.