The Danish government will call for a national plan of action against plastic pollution as soon as the EU’s own strategy and a number of recommendations concerning circular economy from the government’s Advisory Board have been drawn up.

Plastic waste in the ocean and microplastics in our environment is a growing issue for both Denmark and the rest of the world.

The Danish government will call on all members of the Danish Parliament to discuss how to formulate a national plan of action against plastic pollution.

- Plastic does not belong in our environment and pollution from plastic is a growing issue and a global problem, which, needless to say, Denmark cannot resolve on its own. The government wants to do something about it. Plastic belongs in the garbage can and at recycling centres – not in nature, says Minister for the Environment and Food of Denmark, Esben Lunde Larsen.

The job of formulating a national plan of action against plastic pollution will begin as soon as recommendations on circular economy from the government’s Advisory Board and a strategy plan from the EU have been drawn up.

- It requires joint efforts across national borders. Which is why, it is important that a strategy against plastic be formulated at a European level after which the government will invite members of parliament to formulate a national plan of action, says Esben Lunde Larsen.

A number of initiatives, which have already been put to work, will follow the national plan of action in Denmark. These include knowledge building on metering as well as technologies for purifying microplastic in wastewater. There will also be efforts to share knowledge on waste and, as a result, encourage people at the beach, tourists, yachtsman and anglers to reduce the presence of waste on beaches and in the sea.

Furthermore, Denmark has joined a number of conventions, which consist of regional plans of action against marine waste. Denmark’s marine strategy also include environmental goals, a surveillance programme as well as efforts against waste in the oceans – including plastic waste.

The Minister for the Environment and Food of Denmark also supports an increased collaboration through the upcoming Nordic programme against plastic, which is expected to be passed at a meeting for the Nordic Council of Ministers on May 2, 2017. The Nordic ministers for the environment are putting together a Nordic contribution to the EU’s future strategy for combating plastic and plastic waste.

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