Less plastic packaging to reduce pollution and dependence on fossil fuels and a ban on "chemicals forever" in food packaging. MEPs from the Environment Committee adopted their position on a proposed regulation setting requirements for the entire life cycle of packaging, from raw materials to final disposal, with 56 votes in favor, 23 against and five abstentions. It aims to ban the sale of very light plastic bags (below 15 microns) unless they are needed for hygienic reasons or provided as primary packaging for bulk food to help prevent food waste. In addition to the general packaging reduction targets proposed in the regulation, MEPs want to set specific waste reduction targets for plastic packaging (10 percent by 2030, 15 percent by 2035, and 20 percent by 2040. By the end of 2025, the Commission should consider proposing sustainability targets and criteria for bio-based plastics, a key resource for "de-fossilizing" the plastics economy. Members want to make a distinction and clarify requirements for packaging that can be reused or refilled. Reusable packaging should meet a number of criteria, including a minimum number of times it can be reused (to be defined at a later stage). End distributors of beverages and take-out food in the Horeca sector should offer consumers the option of bringing their own container. MEPs also want to ban the use of intentionally added so-called "forever chemicals" (alkyl per and polyfluorinated substances or PFAS), and bisphenol A in food contact packaging. These substances are widely used in fireproof or waterproof packaging, particularly paper and cardboard food packaging, and have been associated with a number of adverse health effects. Other proposed measures include increased requirements for all packaging in the EU to be considered recyclable, with the Commission tasked with adopting criteria to define packaging that is "designed for recycling" and "recyclable at scale". In addition, EU countries would have to ensure that 90 percent of the materials contained in packaging (plastic, wood, ferrous metals, aluminum, glass, paper and cardboard) are collected separately by 2029. In addition, online service providers would be bound by the same extended producer responsibility obligations as manufacturers. The measure, however, does not please the Italian government: according to Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso in fact, "the packaging regulation approved today by the European Parliament's environment committee does not sufficiently enhance the industrial processes and good practices that have made Italy a virtuous model in terms of recycling. We will continue our commitment in the European forum to protect the reasons of Italian packaging companies, a leading sector in material recycling and therefore in the circular economy".