Perhaps some clarification is needed here: While there are sound environmental reasons for reducing (or eliminating) the use of many plastic items, the EU plans announced today ONLY deal with "the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches and seas". (So references on this thread to things like medical items are actually irrelevant here).
Further, the proposal AREN'T for outright bans on ALL such products but for the producers of SOME materials to be required to contribute to clean-up costs. (However SOME products WILL be banned under the proposals). There will also be obligations upon EU member states to meet COLLECTION TARGETS for single-use plastic bottles.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3927_en.htm
Given that marine pollution (which is what the proposals seek to address) is a major concern to many people, the EU plans make perfect sense to me.