Markets in Europe become increasingly “plastic free”

For many years, environmentalists have called to reduce the use of plastic in commerce.

In the last years, many supermarkets have ceased to offer free plastic bags, but much of the packaging has not changed. In the case of ready-to-eat meals, the use of plastic has increased.

But countries like the Netherlands and Germany are leading the way in Europe to promote a more sustainable consumer culture, by reducing the non-renewable packaging to a minimum.

In Amsterdam, a market of ‘bio’ food will open the first “plastic free” establishment of its kind. The more than 700 food products on offer will be either unpacked or served in cardboard or other ecologically certified means.

Shoppers at # Amsterdam @EkoPlaza today have the pick of more than 700 #plasticfree products. The store is the first in the world to have an #aisle dedicated to non-plastic items. @siansutherland says #Britain's #supermarkets need to follow suit https://t.co/bHDfabKZpD

— A Plastic Planet (@aplastic_planet) 28 de febrer de 2018

The initiative has been support by organisations such as “A Plastic Planet”.

A similar market is expected to open soon in The Hague.

THE PROBLEM OF DISPOSABLE COFFEE CUPS

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the parliament is discussing ways to reduce the use of disposable coffee cups.

Only 1% of the 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups used in the country UK every year are recycled.