
Prague reducing disposable plastics at events
The city won’t support cultural events that use throw-away plastic cups and plates
The measure was put forward by City Councilor Hana Třeštíková (Praha Sobě), responsible for culture.
“I want to find in my responsibility all the possibilities for Prague to behave in a more environmentally friendly manner. Reducing disposable plastics is the most effective means of fighting for cleaner nature and oceans. I hope that Prague will not remain alone and inspire other organizers and operators,” Třeštíková said on the City Hall website.
The anti-plastic measures will be included among the rights and obligations of the subsidy recipients in the field of culture and art. Subsidy beneficiaries will have to sell food and beverages only in returnable and washable glassware, porcelain or metal or in returnable plastic dishes. The requirement will be included in contracts from May 1, 2019.
“The ban on disposable plastics will be valid at all cultural events that Prague financially supports with individual subsidies, including large music festivals. Most of the dishes serve only for a few minutes, while there are far more gentle options, such as returnable cups. This is the way that a modern city like Prague has to go,” Třeštíková added.
This is not the only current initiative against plastics. City Councilor Vít Šimral (Pirates) responsible for education, and Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) have also launched a student competition to finds ways to reduce plastic use.
The contest is open to primary and secondary school student teams, and has a prize of up to Kč 10,000. The goal is to find ways to reduce plastic waste in schools.
“If we want to improve the state of our environment, we must start with ourselves. And we will pass the landscape on to our children. We want them to realize that the best waste is the kind that doesn't occur. That is why we would like to motivate them to become familiar with waste management, sorting and recycling,” Šimral said.
The projects will be evaluated on their impact and sustainability, and winner will be picked June 10. The winning project will be implemented at the end of September.
The new requirements for cultural events in Prague will take effect some two years before new rules against disposable plastic are mandatory across the European Union.
Disposable plastic dishes are, according to the European Commission, among the top 10 plastic products found in the sea.
Last year, the European Union agreed to ban all disposable plastic products starting in 2021.
Plastic is slow to decompose, which is why it builds up and collects in seas, oceans and on beaches across Europe and worldwide. Plastic residues, including microplastics, are now being found in marine species – and subsequently in the human food chain, according to the European Commission.
The cost of plastics litter includes the lost economic value in the material, losses for tourism, fisheries and shipping, and the cost of the clean-up – not to mention the price paid by nature and the environment, the EC adds.
-
Lime Electric Scooters To Get The Boot From Prague 1 Shaun O'Banion
There’s a very vocal category of people in Prague who hate seeing those Lime Scooters littering the street… and hate those who ride them even more. Well, for those of you in that category who live or work in the area of Prague 1, good news: City Hall has now banned the scooters in pedestrian zones which is another way of saying, pretty much everywhere in Prague 1.
-
Tesla Sells 1,000,000 Electric Cars and Officially Opens in The Czech Republic. Shaun O'Banion
When Elon Musk first announced his entry into the automotive space, many people shrugged. Why would the tech billionaire want to get involved with a car company?
-
FOREIGNERS AND PRAGUE.TV EXPATS MONTHLY MEETUP: TONIGHT! Kseniia Zhuikova
The Legendary Foreigners and Prague.tv Monthly MeetUp is on TONIGHT
-
Prague Building in Karlin tops Europe's most Sustainable Petra Machartová
The Praga Studios complex in Karlín has become the second greenest office building in Europe.
-
Foreigners and Prague.tv Monthly Expat MeetUp Huyen Vu
The Legendary Foreigners and Prague.tv Monthly MeetUp is on the 17th of October
-
Brexit: What UK Citizen Living in the Czech Republic Should Do Now? Huyen Vu, Foreingers
An upcoming seminar about how to handle the fallout of Brexit.
-
Longtime Prague Expat bags £30K Mercedes in Competition Nathan Rowden
The Unbelievable come true!
-
Foreigners and Prague.tv Monthly Expat MeetUp Huyen Vu
The Legendary Foreigners.cz and Prague.tv Monthly MeetUp is on this Thursday
-
Prague.tv and Foreigners.cz Expat Meet-up Foreigners, Prague TV
This month's get together for expats organized by Foreigners Prague and Prague TV is set to happen on Thursday, July 18th. Come to share experiences, practice Czech, drink beer and have fun!
-
Czechs mark 15 years in EU Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
The country was one 10 to join the bloc on May 1, 2004
Best Irish Pub in Prague
Authentic Italian cuisine in Prague
We help you to master Czech bureaucracy.
Writing and Editing service in Prague
A Hub for co-working and events, with a Heart and Soul
Making your business and life easier

Prague’s # 1 source for Czech news in English…
.png)
Digital lifestyle magazine platform promoting life in Prague.