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What it is

Bill proposes banning and cutting single-use plastics in Spain

Admitted step 2 of 7 · Unfinished

It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 19 June 2018. Introduced by: Grupo Parlamentario Confederal de Unidos Podemos-En Comú Podem-En Marea.

Official title: Private member's bill for the reduction of single-use plastics.

Follow this law

Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000245· updated 11 Nov

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

  1. The bill sets the goal of reducing single-use plastics placed on the market and achieving, before 2030, 100% of plastic waste recycled or reusable.
  2. It bans giving out free plastic bags at points of sale starting July 1, 2018, and from January 1, 2020 it would also ban light and very light bags, except compostable ones, as well as fragmentable bags.
  3. From January 1, 2020 it would ban selling disposable plastic tableware (plates, cutlery, cups, mugs and trays) that is not compostable, plus products with microplastics, single-use items in bars and non-recyclable coffee capsules.
  4. It requires clear labeling of what chemical substances plastic packaging contains and which cosmetics contain plastic, and warnings on wet wipes, tampons and balloons about their environmental impact.
  5. It includes measures to promote tap water: banning the sale of bottled water in public buildings, requiring drinking water fountains next to vending machines, and obliging bars to serve tap water for free. It also asks for alternatives to single-use containers at public events supported by public administrations.
  6. It sets up a penalty system classifying offenses as very serious, serious and minor, applying the sanctions of the Waste Law, and plans to create a tax on the plastics manufacturing and distribution industry.

Who it affects

  • Shops and supermarkets: They could not give out free plastic bags, would have to sell reusable bags and remove packaged products they also sell in bulk.
  • Bars and restaurants: They could not use disposable plastic tableware for on-site consumption and would have to offer free tap water.
  • Plastics manufacturers and distributors: They would face product bans, labeling obligations and a possible tax on plastics.
  • Public administrations: They must prioritize reusable products in their purchases, ban bottled water in their buildings and run awareness campaigns.
  • Consumers: They would have to pay for plastic bags and see labels with information about plastics in packaging and cosmetics.

Words worth knowing

Compostable (compostable)
Material that can break down naturally into compost, according to a specific technical standard (UNE-EN 13432).
Microplastics (microplásticos)
Very small plastic particles, either made that way or created when larger plastic pieces break apart.
Deposit and return system (Sistema de depósito, devolución y retorno, SDDR)
A system where you pay a deposit when buying a container and get it back when you return it.
Extended producer responsibility (Responsabilidad ampliada del productor)
The manufacturer's duty to deal with the impact and waste of its products throughout their whole life cycle.
Bill (Proposición de ley)
A text introduced by a parliamentary group to be passed as a law; while it is being processed, it is not a law in force.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries

Where it stands

How far did it get?

It took 2 of 7 steps. It reached Admitted, and today it is unfinished.

  1. Introduced19 June 2018Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
  2. Admitted26 June 2018The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
  3. Amendmentsnot reachedGroups propose changes.
  4. Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
  5. Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
  6. Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
  7. BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 6 official steps on a timeline
Jun 2018Sept 2018Dec 201811. 19 June 2018: Presentación22. 26 June 2018: Boletín Oficial de las Cortes Generales Publicación desde 26/06/2018 hasta 29/06/201833. 26 June 2018: Calificación44. 29 June 2018: Gobierno Contestación desde 29/06/2018 hasta 05/10/201855. 5 October 2018: Pleno Toma en consideración desde 05/10/2018 hasta 05/03/201966. 5 March 2019: Concluido - (Caducado) desde 05/03/2019 hasta 27/03/2019

Was there a plenary vote?

We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.

What happens next

What happens now?

The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.

It was presented again:

Sources

Where does all this come from?

  • The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
  • Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
  • We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.

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