France to Set Penalties on Non-Recycled Plastic

France plans to introduce a penalty system next year that would increase the costs of consumer goods with packaging made of non-recycled plastic, part of a pledge to use only recycled plastic nationwide by 2025, an environment ministry official said Sunday. Brune Poirson, secretary of state for ecological transition, said the move was one of several to be implemented in coming years, including a deposit-refund scheme for plastic bottles, AFP reported. "Declaring war on plastic is not enough. We need to transform the French economy," she told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper. Under the new plan, products with recycled plastic packaging could cost up to 10% less, Poirson said. "When there's a choice between two bottles, one made of recycled plastic and the other without, the first will be less expensive," she said. The European Commission also wants to sharply cut down on single-use plastic objects, announcing in May rules requiring the use of alternative materials and incentives for businesses. Plastic production has soared more than 40% globally over the past 10 years, mainly for packaging.