Zeman signes into law legislation limiting use of single-use plastics

President Miloš Zeman has signed into law a bill that makes it illegal to produce and sell single-use plastic cutlery, plates and straws. The bill is in accordance with EU restrictions on single-use plastics and will come into effect within two month’s time.

The legislation also requires plastic bottles to be made from one-quarter recycled plastic by 2025 and up to 30 percent recycled plastic by 2030 and makes it obligatory for plastic bottles to be produced with lids that cannot be torn off.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, the annual consumption of single-use products, plastic, including drink stirrers, cotton buds and cups, should be reduced by approximately 1.77 billion pieces.