Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke wants manufacturers of single-use plastic to share in the costs of removing waste from parks and streets.

She is preparing a draft law, Lemke told the German Press Agency.

With the bans on some plastic products, Germany has taken the first important steps.

"I want to go further," said the Green politician.

Specifically, it is about setting up a fund for single-use plastic (single-use plastic fund), into which the manufacturers should pay, depending on the quantity they sell.

A "special levy with a financing function" is planned, according to the corresponding draft bill, which is being coordinated between the ministries.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, it is to be decided by the Federal Cabinet in the autumn.

The background to the project is the EU single-use plastics directive, according to which the member states have to implement the responsibility of the manufacturers nationally.

This applies to take-away containers, bags and film packaging, beverage cups and containers, lightweight carrier bags, wet wipes, balloons and tobacco filters.

"Reusable should become the new standard"

According to the Ministry of the Environment, the exact type and amount of the planned tax has not yet been determined.

Lemke's predecessor, Svenja Schulze, had already announced the plan to hold manufacturers accountable two years ago.

According to Lemke's ministry, the fact that the implementation is taking so long is due to studies relating to the implementation.

Lemke emphasized on Saturday on the so-called World Clean Up Day ("World Clean Up Day") that the pollution of the environment must come to an end.

"Not only is carelessly discarded single-use plastic a major nuisance, but the pollution crisis is one of the biggest environmental issues of our time," she said.

"Not disposable plastic, but reusable should become the new standard."

From 2023 onwards, restaurants, bistros and cafés must also offer drinks and food for on the go in reusable containers.

Lemke said she could also imagine introducing a minimum quota for returnable bottles.