Europe is proposing a ban on single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws and cotton buds in a bid to clean up the oceans. The European Commission wants to ban 10 items that make up 70% of all litter in EU waters and on beaches. The draft rules were unveiled Monday but need the approval of all EU member states and the European Parliament. But they could also save consumers about €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) per year, create 30,000 jobs, and avoid €22 billion ($25.6 billion) in environmental damage and cleanup costs. The proposals do not set targets for EU countries to reduce the use of plastic cups and food containers, it said.

Source: CNN May 28, 2018 15:00 UTC