RPA is a coalition of European NGOs representing thousands of groups and citizens from all member states, and is part of the global movement Free From Plastic, which includes more than 2,000 groups and millions of citizens worldwide.
In the document, Portugal, Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland, France, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden are considered the best countries.
The report was released today by the Environmental Association Zero, which indicated in a statement, citing the document, that parts of the directive have not yet been transferred, and says it is necessary to ensure full implementation of the measures that have already been transferred.
“Portugal is in the lead because it has already shifted a large part” of the directive and has even proposed very ambitious measures, for example, in terms of reducing beverage cups and plastic packaging for “takeaway” (a reduction of 80% by the end of 2026 and 90% by 2030 , with reference to 2022 values), says the statement from Zero.
The association also states that in the “receiving” area, it is mandatory to provide reusable solutions from January 2024.
The report also notes that Portugal has included in its legislative measures a ban on the use of plastic bags for bread, fruits and vegetables from June 2023, with the obligation to pay for non-reusable alternatives.
But Zero adds that in this, as in other legislation, “the biggest challenge for Portugal is implementation”, and adds: “The ambitious measures in the legislation are not new. And the novelty will be able to implement them effectively.”
Zero says that since 2018, Portugal has had legislation in place for a deposit system to come into operation with the return of single-use plastic, glass and metal beverage packaging in January 2022, something that has yet to happen, “a clear indication of the political inability of the previous and current government to implement the system.” essential to fulfilling certain guidance obligations.”
Zero further notes that the report appreciates Portugal’s ambitious reduction targets, but later notes that this “will not necessarily mean reducing the total number of cups and food containers used in the country, but rather a transition to other materials, not necessarily better from the point of view of the environment and even human health”.
The directive was approved in July 2019 by the European Parliament and the European Council, with a two-year conversion deadline (July 2021). In Portugal, the directive was partially changed in September 2021, a delay that the government justified with the COVID-19 pandemic.
