UK tourists warned over new ban in European Union countries 'for first time'

UK tourists and holidaymakers have been warned about a major rule changes when travelling to European Union cities. The European Parliament has introduced some new rules for a sustainable environment in an eco-friendly push.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament gave the green light to new measures that are aimed at not only making packaging more sustainable from an environmental point of view but also reducing packaging waste, reports Olive Press.

Packaging that is used for individual portions, such as those for sugar, condiments such as ketchup and sauces will also be banned. The new wrules will see certain single-use packaging types banned from January 1, 2030, the EU says.

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These include packaging for fruit and vegetables, packaging for foods and beverages filled and consumed in cafés and restaurants, and very lightweight plastic carrier bags. “For the first time in an environmental law, the EU is setting targets to reduce packaging, regardless of the material used,” said rapporteur Frédérique Ries

“The ban on forever chemicals in food packaging is a great victory for the health of European consumers. We now call on all industrial sectors, EU countries and consumers to play their part in the fight against excess packaging.”

Single-use plastic products are made wholly or partly of plastic and are typically intended to be used just once or for a short period of time before they are thrown away. More than 80 per cent of marine litter is plastics. Plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and on beaches in the EU and worldwide.

The legislation also addresses "forever chemicals," which is extremely durable and does not fully break down, leading to their accumulation in both the environment and human bodies. Each European generated 188.7 kg of packaging waste in 2021, a figure that the European Parliament expects will shoot up to 209 kg in 2030 if no additional measures are taken.