In 2019, the European Union approved new legislation concerning the use of single-use plastic that came into effect on 3 July 2021. It was adopted to address the unsustainable consumption and use of lightweight plastic carrier bags, which are among the top ten items of litter throughout Europe. Lightweight plastic carrier bags are often used only once, but they take centuries to fully degrade in the natural environment. While this is happening, they are often ingested by terrestrial or marine animals, or break up into microplastics. Either way, they end up in the human and animal food chain.

The Directive requires EU Member States to take measures, such as national reduction targets and/or economic instruments (e.g. fees and taxes) and marketing restrictions, provided that the latter are proportionate and non-discriminatory. The measures taken by EU Member States include either or both of the following:

• The adoption of measures to ensure that the annual consumption level does not exceed 90 lightweight

plastic carrier bags per person by 31 December 2019 and 40 lightweight plastic carrier bags per person