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Following its ban on plastic bags in July, France took it a step further. A new measure took effect last month, which forces plastic dish manufacturers to start making their products only from biodegradable material by 2020.
Ecologists are applauding the new law, but not everybody is happy. Some speculate that it violates European Union rules on free movement of goods and hurts the consumers. “We are urging the European Commission to do the right thing and to take legal action against France for infringing European law. If they don’t, we will,” Pack2Go Europe, an organization representing European packaging manufacturers told The Associated Press.
The ban aims not only to reduce the pollution caused by plastic, but to lower the energy consumed and waste produced by the plastic processing industry.
(h/t: bigstory, mashable | Facebook image: Emilia Lives Life)
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Image credits: Mr.TinDC
What do you think ?
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
"Some speculate that it violates European Union rules on free movement of goods and hurts the consumers," *rolling eyes* someone call the WAAAAH-mbulance! I'd rather it hurt my wallet and pay more for something biodegradable than hurt more of the environment!
Hans 8 years ago
Unfortunately, few people think like you and ignore that then future generations will pay the price.
Load More Replies...
over opinionated 8 years ago
This should have been a world wide law ages ago. I'm glad its starting somewhere. I hope that everywhere takes notice and does the same thing.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Don't dream, it's only a project... We have presidential election next year and sadly I fear this is only words to please some people and will be long forgotten before the 2020 deadline. I hope really really hard that I'm wrong but I have no faith on any of our potential candidates.
Load More Replies...
Jace 8 years ago
America... Ha ha ha! Land of the capitalists will be last in line for things like this unless there's a profit to be made above the status quo.
Load More Replies...
Misa Torres 8 years ago
This was a phenomenal move by France and it is beyond logical comprehension why anyone would go against it.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Don't dream, it's only a project... We have presidential election next year and sadly I fear this is only words to please some people and will be long forgotten before the 2020 deadline. I hope really really hard that I'm wrong but I have no faith on any of our potential candidates.
Load More Replies...
Arkeen 8 years ago
Just to be clear, the ban is supposed to be effective in 2020. And I learned about it by this post, medias in France don't talk about this ...
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
You're right, they don't. In fact, if I didn't follow bored panda I wouldn't know about this (I'm French). And I read the press daily.
Load More Replies...
Daniel Hunter 8 years ago
If Pack2Go going to object to this new law they shouldn't pretend it's because they care about the law
Tasha Harris 8 years ago
Hey...pack2go... You have the opportunity to create a new product or re market an older product to sell to France ,how about u get busy !
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
There is already one of our dearest old products that makes a great return slowly but surely: https://www.google.fr/search?q=filet+course+crochet&espv=2&biw=1214&bih=630&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjRw6H19Z3PAhVEExoKHfASDv0Q_AUIBigB I'm sure Pack2Go could find something inspired by this but more modern ... if they made the effort (and were willing) to think about it.
Load More Replies...
Peter Wooster 8 years ago
Let's talk about plastic cutlery while Japanese whaling ships decimate the oceans and microbeads fill the seas. Less chat and more action Greenpeace.
Kristina Milcheva 8 years ago
Invredible Progress! I am glad France is going in the right direction.
Glynis Lailann 8 years ago
There is a company in India that makes edible spoons which come in various flavours. http://www.bakeys.com/
Glynis Lailann 8 years ago
There is a company in India that makes edible spoons. They come in a variety of flavours too. Here is the link: - http://www.bakeys.com/
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
F**k you Pack2Go Europe! We don't want your polluting packages in our nature anymore, get it up your own a*s. Enough of all these plastic shits everywhere even in places where garbage bins are easily accessible. Enough of products with 3 layers of different plastic wrappings when just 1 (or none at all for certain products) is adequate. Enough of having to chase wild animals prisoners of these same plastic wrappings and of having to fight with these poor animals to free them from it. Enough of our kids saying : "Oh look mommy, I found something!" and bringing back a dirty plastic wrapping.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
You are absolutely right. It's not for nothing that we voted "no" when they made the referendum. Sadly they didn't listen to people's voice and now we are stuck in this aberration.
Load More Replies...
Doge_Is_Derpy 8 years ago
If you read the paragraph instead of looking at the pictures, they are replacing plastic with biodegradable material :P
Load More Replies...
Andrew Ramirez 8 years ago
I've actually been to very underdeveloped, third-world parts of China and trash is pretty much their biggest issue. No garbage service.
Load More Replies... Amanda Panda 8 years ago
"Some speculate that it violates European Union rules on free movement of goods and hurts the consumers," *rolling eyes* someone call the WAAAAH-mbulance! I'd rather it hurt my wallet and pay more for something biodegradable than hurt more of the environment!
Hans 8 years ago
Unfortunately, few people think like you and ignore that then future generations will pay the price.
Load More Replies... over opinionated 8 years ago
This should have been a world wide law ages ago. I'm glad its starting somewhere. I hope that everywhere takes notice and does the same thing.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Don't dream, it's only a project... We have presidential election next year and sadly I fear this is only words to please some people and will be long forgotten before the 2020 deadline. I hope really really hard that I'm wrong but I have no faith on any of our potential candidates.
Load More Replies... Jace 8 years ago
America... Ha ha ha! Land of the capitalists will be last in line for things like this unless there's a profit to be made above the status quo.
Load More Replies... Misa Torres 8 years ago
This was a phenomenal move by France and it is beyond logical comprehension why anyone would go against it.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Don't dream, it's only a project... We have presidential election next year and sadly I fear this is only words to please some people and will be long forgotten before the 2020 deadline. I hope really really hard that I'm wrong but I have no faith on any of our potential candidates.
Load More Replies... Arkeen 8 years ago
Just to be clear, the ban is supposed to be effective in 2020. And I learned about it by this post, medias in France don't talk about this ...
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
You're right, they don't. In fact, if I didn't follow bored panda I wouldn't know about this (I'm French). And I read the press daily.
Load More Replies... Daniel Hunter 8 years ago
If Pack2Go going to object to this new law they shouldn't pretend it's because they care about the law
Tasha Harris 8 years ago
Hey...pack2go... You have the opportunity to create a new product or re market an older product to sell to France ,how about u get busy !
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
There is already one of our dearest old products that makes a great return slowly but surely: https://www.google.fr/search?q=filet+course+crochet&espv=2&biw=1214&bih=630&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjRw6H19Z3PAhVEExoKHfASDv0Q_AUIBigB I'm sure Pack2Go could find something inspired by this but more modern ... if they made the effort (and were willing) to think about it.
Load More Replies... Peter Wooster 8 years ago
Let's talk about plastic cutlery while Japanese whaling ships decimate the oceans and microbeads fill the seas. Less chat and more action Greenpeace.
Kristina Milcheva 8 years ago
Invredible Progress! I am glad France is going in the right direction.
Glynis Lailann 8 years ago
There is a company in India that makes edible spoons which come in various flavours. http://www.bakeys.com/
Glynis Lailann 8 years ago
There is a company in India that makes edible spoons. They come in a variety of flavours too. Here is the link: - http://www.bakeys.com/
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
F**k you Pack2Go Europe! We don't want your polluting packages in our nature anymore, get it up your own a*s. Enough of all these plastic shits everywhere even in places where garbage bins are easily accessible. Enough of products with 3 layers of different plastic wrappings when just 1 (or none at all for certain products) is adequate. Enough of having to chase wild animals prisoners of these same plastic wrappings and of having to fight with these poor animals to free them from it. Enough of our kids saying : "Oh look mommy, I found something!" and bringing back a dirty plastic wrapping.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
You are absolutely right. It's not for nothing that we voted "no" when they made the referendum. Sadly they didn't listen to people's voice and now we are stuck in this aberration.
Load More Replies... Doge_Is_Derpy 8 years ago
If you read the paragraph instead of looking at the pictures, they are replacing plastic with biodegradable material :P
Load More Replies... Andrew Ramirez 8 years ago
I've actually been to very underdeveloped, third-world parts of China and trash is pretty much their biggest issue. No garbage service.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
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