Plastic, Italy defends a virtuous supply chain. But that doesn’t solve environmental damage
Italy has not “fully and correctly” transposed the European directive on single-use plastics, violating the obligations established by the rules on transparency of the single market. This is the communication sent yesterday from Brussels to Italy, at the same time as the start of an infringement procedure. An announced step, as the directive has been in force for two years now. Now Italy has two months to make its own counterarguments or to fill the gaps. But the European Commission has in fact started the process that could lead to sanctions.
It wouldn’t be the first time: it has already happened, for example, in 2016 with biodegradable plastic bags. While in 2022 Italy had escaped the procedure relating to Higher Directive on the reduction of disposable plastic items which had instead been addressed to eleven other countries. Now we’re back in the spotlight. With a procedure that adds to the over sixty currently open, for infringements on the most varied topics. And with sanctions that have already exceeded 800 million euros in ten years.
Cipolloni: “Bioplastics, reasons on both sides, but…”
But what exactly is the EU asking for? And why is Italy in a position of opposition? Affaritaliani.it spoke about it with Daniela Cipolloniscientific journalist and correspondent for Presa Diretta, as well as co-author of the investigative book “Plastic disease – Truth and lies about the material that has flooded the world and entered our blood”. “There is a procedural issue but also a substantial one: Italy did not intend to cut the production of disposable bioplastic products, to defend its sector and a supply chain that has become effectively virtuous. There are reasons on both sides. But unfortunately producing compostable bioplastic is not the same as solving the problem of damage to the environment and health“. The interview.
Cipolloni, what does the European Commission accuse us of?
On the one hand there is a procedural issue: Italy did not respect the technical deadlines in adopting the 2022 directive. But there is also a substantive issue, even if it is not specified in the Brussels communication. The directive itself has not been properly transposed. The theme is that of biodegradable disposable plastic. With the 2019 SUP directive, the EU declared war on single-use plastic. Everything, including bioplastics. Italy has not aligned itself with this indication by providing an exception for compostable bioplastic
To non-experts, the concept of “compostable bioplastic” would seem to indicate the environmental sustainability of such products. It is not so?
First of all, the term “bioplastic” can be ambiguous because it refers both to the biodegradability of the products and to their derivation from plant sources. But half of bioplastics are not in fact automatically biodegradable and are therefore comparable to traditional plastic from this point of view. But the EU goes further and also highlights the problems relating to biodegradable bioplastics. If we throw a straw, a plate, a fork or a glass of compostable bioplastic into the environment, it will not disappear like magic. It’s not like leaving an apple core on the ground. These are materials that do not biodegrade on their own: the decomposition times in nature are comparable to traditional plastic. The crucial issue is: how many of these products are actually delivered correctly? And then not all industrial composting plants are able to manage rigid products, which will therefore never become compost but will be discarded and sent to the incinerator. Faced with these problems linked to incorrect disposal, and considering that in fact almost 50% of the plastic that today pollutes beaches, seas and oceans is disposable, the EU has taken a clear position. With no possible exceptions
And here comes the contrast with Italy…
Our country is among the main producers of bioplastics and has started a tug-of-war to defend its supply chain since 2022. A sector which, as described in the book, involves almost three hundred companies with 3 thousand employees, for an annual turnover that has exceeded one billion euros. An undoubtedly virtuous supply chain. But that is not the response requested by the EU, which instead aims to replace single-use bioplastics with reusable products or alternative materials
How will this tug of war end?
Italy knew it had taken an initiative that was not agreed upon. So this procedure was expected, as was the risk of receiving heavy sanctions. There had already been protests. Also because Italy’s choice remains unique in the European panorama, an exception that the country has pursued unilaterally, with implications and consequences also on the European single market. A sort of “coup” which could now result in heavy fines if it is not remedied. Now you have two months to get in order or to justify your reasons. The European Commission could therefore decide to take the case to the Court of Justice, proceeding with the request for sanctions. We are faced with two apparently irreconcilable positions, with reasons on both sides.
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