The European Commission published a Green Paper in which invites the stakeholders to contribute with their views on whether, and how, existing legislation should be adapted to deal with plastic waste and promote re-use, recycling and recovery of plastic waste over landfilling.

According to the European Commission, the particular challenges posed by plastic waste are not specifically addressed in EU waste legislation at present. Therefore, it published a Green Paper that includes a public consultation on the impacts of plastic waste and define a European strategy to mitigate them. In May 2011, the Commission opened a public consultation on reducing plastic bag use.

In particular, the consultation seeks opinions on whether, and how, existing legislation should be adapted to deal with plastic waste and promote re-use, recycling and recovery of plastic waste over landfilling. The Commission stressed that views are also sought on the effectiveness of potential recycling targets, and of economic measures such as landfill bans, landfill taxes and pay-as-you-throw schemes. The Green Paper also asks how to improve the modular and chemical design of plastic to improve recyclability, how to reduce marine litter and whether there is a need to promote biodegradable plastics.

Contributions to the consultation can be made until 7 June 2013. The result will feed into further policy action in 2014 as part of a broader waste policy review, which will look in particular at the existing targets for waste recovery and landfill as well as an ex-post evaluation of five directives covering various waste streams.