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ROME, March 18-- The Italian region of Apulia is set to become the first in Italy to ban almost all single-use plastic, an "important and symbolic" step against what analysts say is emerging as one of the world's biggest environmental challenges. The region that forms the heel on Italy's boot-shaped peninsula is the first to ban single-use plastic from its beaches and seaside communities. The only exemption is for plastic water bottles, which will phase out within a year. The move -- the result of an agreement between the Apulia regional government, local business associations, and environmental groups -- comes two years before a similar European Union directive comes into effect for all member states, including Italy. "This is an important and symbolic step that will give businesses in Apulia extra time to adapt to the rules," Eva Alessi, head of the sustainable consumption section with WWF-Italia, an environmental lobby group, told Xinhua. "The situation we find ourselves in now is not sustainable. Action has to start somewhere." Among the major problems with single-use plastics is that it breaks down into micro-plastics, particles so small they can enter the ecosystem as part of the food chain, in the air, or absorbed into beverages. Micro-plastics can also be contained within modern fabrics used for clothing, in cosmetics, or as byproducts of industrial processes. The full long-term health impacts of microplastics are unknown since their increase is been so dramatic. According to Alessandro Botti, president of Italy's Association of Sea Environment, the world produces around 310 million tons of plastic per year, compared to just 15 million tons 50 years ago. Only around a tenth of the total production of plastics is recovered and reused. | 
