Interview with Christina Tachiaou of Protagon.gr (Greece) on EU plastics strategy - Main contents

Commissioner, we welcome the announcement of the special measures and the Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. Which of those measures do you consider to be the most important?

What I like best about these measures is the way they have been designed to cover all the different aspects of plastics. We won't solve the problem by over simplifying it, or by demonizing the material. The answer is to ensure that intervention occurs in the places where it is most needed, and where it will be most effective.

So it’s difficult to single out a single measure. I don’t think many people will be sad to see the end of single-use plastic plates and cutlery, or of bottle tops being washed up on beaches.

And I think that extending producer responsibility is a very important step. That avoids blaming consumers, who buy the things that are there on the market, and raises the social responsibility of manufacturers and producers. A good way of making sure we are all on board for these changes.

Is there the same emergency for measures on all the country members?

Some MS are doing much better than others when it comes to plastic recycling, but there is no place that is really a complete model for all products for all the others.

Wherever we look, plastics recycling rates are still far too low, and use of single-use plastics is much too high, so everyone has something to gain here.

Of course there are lots of good examples already out there. Some countries were very quick to ban plastic bags. Italy already has a ban on plastic cotton buds, and France has rules restricting the marketing of single-use plastic glasses and plates.

But a Europe-wide approach will be even more effective, because it cuts off the

possibility of marketing these items in all Member States at the same time.

Special strategies and measures in the EU take time until their final adjustment. Realistically, how soon do you think that there are going to be some results?

These things can go quite quickly, as we saw with the plastic bags initiative, which we proposed in 2014 and it passed into law the following year. Our intention is to ensure that this proposal is finalized under this Commission, so before the end of next year, and we have the agreement of the other co-legislators already to try to do that.

Then there will be a short time lag as systems need to be put in place, manufacturers need to adjust and so forth, but I anticipate many governments deciding to act quickly, as these measures are genuinely popular.

Because there is a lot happening already, all over Europe. That's what makes this action so timely, it coincides with a widespread realization and will to change.

The first step is to encourage the country members to take action. Do you believe that this is enough for the implement of the strategy?

What we are proposing is a broad range of measures. Some of it will be advice, some of it will be labelling requirements, some will be extended producer responsibility, but some of it will be traditional legislation as well. It's very carefully tailored to deal with each facet of the problem on its own terms.

Encouraging the Member States is very important, but it won't always be enough. We need some stronger action as well. That’s why the proposals include bans on some items. And that’s why the legislation also requires each Member State to bring in dissuasive measures as well, to ensure that the laws are obeyed.

According to the strategy, industry is a partner for EU in succeeding significant results. How did they accept this responsibility? Are they as optimistic as you (the EU) are that the strategy will be beneficiary for the economy?

They have been very supportive, so much so that I think of them as genuine partners here. They see the upside and the opportunities for innovation and alternative products, they see the global changes that are coming, and they want to be in the vanguard of that change. Forward-looking producers can sense that change, and are adapting their production accordingly.

As part of the plastics strategy, we have an ongoing campaign (it runs until 30 September) for stakeholders to come out with voluntary pledges to boost the uptake of recycled plastics. We hope that all voluntary commitments are ambitious and concrete and will analyse them on their merits. All contributions are important and welcome, as long as they bring added value to the goal of making plastics more circular.

Citizens are very touched when they learn news regarding sea animals dying from plastic residues. However, single use plastics make their life easier. Considering the fact that euroscepticism is growing, how will the Commission convince the citizens that this strategy is not a “gift” for particular industry?

I really don't see any link between Euroscepticism and legislation on single-use plastics. We are bringing in these proposals now because we feel Europeans are ready. Eurobarometer surveys have found that 87% of citizens are concerned about the impact everyday plastic products have on the environment, and they want to see change.

So I am confident about how these proposals will be received, and about the pace of change that will follow. They will make it easier for people to do the things they say they want to do anyway. I think it's precisely the sort of measure that people will welcome, it shows Europe changing our lives for the better.

The Commission promised to take action in supporting other countries on environmental efforts, such as India and Ganges River. Have you already planned the next tasks?

It is part of our strategy to engage with partners globally, while we are doing our part for Europe. We are encouraged by emerging actions around the Globe from Kenya to Burundi, from Indonesia to India. We are conducting so-called Circular economy missions around the globe, we use all available channels of dialogue and communication and we are also actively engaging in plurilateral and multilateral for a such as G20 and UN Environment.

* * *

This interview was originally published in Greek in Protagon.gr