Lisbon bans takeaway plastics
The sale of beverages in plastic containers by restaurants and bars posed a huge waste issue in the Portuguese capital, with overall waste generation increasing by 10% from 2015 to 2018.
To tackle the problem, the municipality of Lisbon issued a new regulation in December 2019, the Waste Management, Urban Hygiene and Cleanliness Strategy. Article 73 (6) states that “it is forbidden to serve, outside the establishment, products from its sale for consumption in single-use or disposable plastic, namely cups.” This ban tackles all single-use plastic tableware (including cutlery, straws, and cups) in restaurants and bars and all takeaway activities of the food and drink sector, as well as in retail.
Officially in force from 1 January 2020, the ban gave establishments until March 2020 to adapt to the new regulations. The municipality will fine any establishment not complying with the new measures.
