New plastic bottles in the EU: lids that annoy consumers
1 July 2024 08:50
In July 2024, a new directive will come into force in the European Union that will change the design of plastic beverage bottles. The lids will now be attached to the bottles, which is causing dissatisfaction among consumers.
The aim of this directive is to reduce plastic waste, especially on beaches. The new caps are connected to the bottle with additional strips of plastic. Coca-Cola and other major beverage producers have already implemented this system across Europe.
However, consumers complain about the inconvenience of drinking and pouring drinks. There have been reports on social media of the cap hitting the face while drinking or getting into the nose or eye.
The directive applies to plastic bottles with a volume of up to three litres. It is expected that the attached caps will be less likely to be thrown away separately from the bottles, which will help reduce environmental pollution.
The change is part of the EU’s wider strategy to tackle plastic waste. Despite consumer dissatisfaction, environmentalists hope that the new design will help reduce ocean pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and disposal.
