European Parliament votes for ban on single-use plastics

The European Parliament has voted for a ban on single-use plastics such as straws, cotton buds and also to ensure that most bottles are recycled as a measure to curb pollution of oceans, the CNN reported.

Under the proposal, 10 single-use plastic products would be banned by 2021 and EU states have also obliged to recycle 90 per cent of plastic bottles by 2025.

After the vote of 571-53 on Wednesday, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Frederique Ries, who proposed the bill, called it a victory for our oceans. She tweeted that it was "a victory for our oceans, for the environment and for future generations."

"We have adopted the most ambitious legislation against single-use plastics," she was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the Parliament's website.

"It is essential in order to protect the marine environment and reduce the costs of environmental damage attributed to plastic pollution in Europe, estimated at 22 billion euros ($25bn) by 2030."

The ban was proposed by the European Commission in May and needs to be approved by member states after negotiations, which Ries is hopeful of.

"It is up to us now to stay the course in the upcoming negotiations with the Council, due to start as early as November," she said.