Have you noticed that some plastic caps seem to be firmly attached to the bottles now? Is it just annoying or just a matter of habit? In recent months, we’ve heard a bit of everything. Let’s start with the obvious: it’s definitely not a case of defectiveness, but rather a sign of imminent change.
Despite the abundance of more sustainable alternatives, plastic bottles continue to dominate the market, especially here in Italy, where the consumption of bottled water reaches impressive figures, with an average of 200 liters per capita per year (14 billion liters in total and over 250 brands distributed). However, to the problem of disposing of plastic bottles, another is always added: the caps scattered in the environment, which end up among the most common waste on our beaches.
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel: the European Union directive of 2019 set the goal of reducing the environmental impact of plastic. From July 2024, all plastic bottles must have caps firmly attached to containers with a capacity of up to 3 liters, making it much more likely that they will be disposed of together, preferably in the collection dedicated to plastic waste. These new caps, called “tethered caps”, have been designed specifically to prevent environmental dispersion and facilitate recycling. We must remember that caps and lids are among the waste items most often dispersed in the environment and end up polluting seas and beaches. What better strategy to avoid having to then recover the plastic?
In Italy, some brands (including CocaCola for example) have already embraced this innovation for several months, while others are still adapting. The same rule applies to polycoated cardboard beverage packaging, which must comply with the new regulations.
We are left to wonder: will this change really succeed in preserving our planet or is it just a small green stroke to hide a bigger problem? Our opinion is that it’s a starting point but at the same time a concrete initiative, proof that legislative intervention has considerable scope compared to a market often indifferent or desensitized to environmental issues. Without a doubt, we must continue to strive for a more comprehensive solution.
What to Remember
From July 2024, it will be mandatory for manufacturers of plastic bottles for liquids under 3 liters to adopt the technology of tethered caps, i.e., caps attached to the bottle. This will allow a reduction in plastic dispersion during disposal and recycling phases.
Further Information
ANSA News (in Italian): here
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