Germany to force plastic makers to help pay for cleanups
FILE - Volunteers separate different brands and types of plastic bottles collected in the annual "Big Bottle Count" on the bank of the River Thames in London, Sept. 19, 2018. The German government said Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 that it plans to make plastic manufacturers contribute to the cost of cleaning up litter in streets and parks. The Cabinet agreed on a bill that makers of products containing single-use plastic will need to pay into a central fund managed by the government, starting in 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, file)
BERLIN (AP) — The German government said Wednesday that it plans to make plastic manufacturers contribute to the cost of cleaning up litter in streets and parks.
The Cabinet agreed on a bill that makers of products containing single-use plastic will need to pay into a central fund managed by the government, starting in 2025.
The fund is estimated to collect about 450 million euros ($446 million) in the first year, based on the companies’ past production of single-use plastic.
Affected items include cigarette filters, drink containers and packaging for takeout food.
Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said the cost of cleanups in Europe’s biggest economy is currently borne by all.
“That should change,” she said. “Whoever depends on putting single-use plastic onto the market for their business should contribute to the collection and cleanup costs.”
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deez_treez on November 2nd, 2022 at 19:24 UTC »
When this run of humanity is over and future archeologists explore the depths of the earth, our time will be marked by a layer of plastic.
Bored_guy_in_dc on November 2nd, 2022 at 19:24 UTC »
Good, we need to get off of single use plastics. How the world thought that making 10 quadrillion plastic water bottles was a good idea is beyond me.
EDIT:
First, this was a rhetorical question, I know why / how it happened. That doesn't excuse, or make it any less of an existential enigma. We are so short sighted.
Second, plastic bottles were just an example. There are 1000s of other single use plastics that are just as much a problem. Straws, utensils, heck even the stupid sauces you get when you order Chinese food...
shmip on November 2nd, 2022 at 19:24 UTC »
This is the only way it will happen: force the companies to internalize the costs they externalized to the consumer. Costs should include the end of the lifecycle, not just the beginning of a product.