Petition calls for ban on plastic bottles and non-stick pans

Almost 2,000 people have signed a parliamentary petition urging MPs to ban plastic bottles and non-stick cookware due to concerns over health risks.

The signatories are demanding a phased ban on the importation and sale of products containing microplastics and forever chemicals (PFAS), arguing that Malta's dense population and rising healthcare costs require a shift toward safer alternatives like glass, stainless steel and cast iron.

The petition was filed in parliament by Glen Ciantar the week before Christmas.

It says there is growing scientific evidence linking materials found in common household items to severe illnesses such as "increased cancer risk, hormonal and endocrine disruption, reproductive disorders, immune system damage, and other chronic illnesses".

The petition argues that plastic bottles can release microplastics into water - especially when stored in heat - while scratched or overheated non-stick pans can leach toxic substances directly into food and the air.

"Continued exposure to these materials presents a long-term risk that requires preventive action rather than reactive treatment," the petition states.

A phased ban

While it seeks a "total ban," the petition acknowledges the impact on businesses and consumers, which is why it suggests a reasonable transition period to allow the market to adapt.

It also calls on the government to offer financial incentives to companies switching to safer products and to install public water refill stations to discourage the use of single-use plastics.

It also urges the government to launch a national public awareness campaign on the health risks of microplastics and toxic coatings.

"Preventive measures of this nature will reduce long-term healthcare costs, improve quality of life, and reduce environmental pollution," it said.

"This petition is a call for responsible, science-based governance that places the health of present and future generations first."

The petition can be signed here.

What research says

Research increasingly shows that bottled water contains hundreds of thousands of microscopic plastic fragments.

A study by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2024 found that a litre of bottled water contains 240,000 pieces of plastic.

Ninety per cent of these are nanoplastics - particles so small they can pass through the lining of the intestines and lungs, enter the bloodstream, and reach the heart, brain, and even unborn fetuses.