Single-use plastic is like the toxic ex that just keeps reappearing. Plastic straws, cutlery and Styrofoam boxes still show up on takeaway counters, coffee shops and restaurants across Europe, despite being blocked and officially dumped by the EU in 2021.

The bloc targeted several items after discovering that 85% of the trash washing up on its shorelines was plastic — almost half of which were disposable items such as straws, takeaway boxes, cutlery and plates.

In order to tackle this growing problem of discarded plastic, which can release harmful chemicals and tiny particles that enter the environment and the human body — potentially raising the risk of serious health issues including cancer and infertility — the EU decided to take action.

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