In many countries of the world, there is the termination of lightweight plastic bags . Disposable plastic shopping bags, commonly made of low-density polyethylene plastic (LDPE), have traditionally been given free to customers by stores when buying goods - popular methods are considered to be a powerful, cheap, and hygienic way of transporting goods. The problems associated with plastic bags include the use of non-renewable resources (such as crude oil, gas and coal), disposal, and environmental impacts.
Governments around the world have taken action to ban the sale of lightweight bags, collect customers for light bags and/or generate taxes from stores that sell them. The Bangladesh government was the first to do so in 2002, imposing a total ban on bags. Such restrictions have also been applied in countries or regions such as Rwanda, China, Taiwan, Macedonia and last (August 2017) Kenya. Some countries in Western Europe charge per bag. Prohibitions, partial restrictions, and fees have been imposed by some local jurisdictions in North America, Australia and Myanmar. Along with the reduction of lightweight plastic bags, the shops have introduced reusable shopping bags.
Video Phase-out of lightweight plastic bags
Problem
Plastic bags cause many minor and major environmental and ecological problems. The most common problem with plastic bags is the amount of waste generated. Many plastic bags end up in the streets and then pollute the main water sources, rivers, and rivers.
Even when properly disposed of, they need years to decompose and break down, generating lots of waste over a long period of time. If not properly disposed of, pockets can contaminate drains, clogged ditches and have been found in oceans affecting the habitat of animals and sea creatures.
The two main types of direct damage to wildlife are entanglement and consumption. Wildlife or birds can become entangled. When animals or birds get entangled, they drown or can not fly because of entanglement. Plastic bags are often digested by animals because they can not distinguish whether it is food or not. As a result, it clogs their intestines that cause death by starvation. Plastic bags can block channels, catch birds and kill livestock. The World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that over 100,000 whales, seals, and turtles die each year from eating or being trapped by plastic bags. In India, an estimated 20 cows die per day from swallowing plastic bags and their digestive system is clogged by the sac. It is also very common throughout Africa to have sewers and drain systems clogged up by bags that cause severe cases of malaria due to the increasing population of mosquitoes living in flooded ditches. The term "white pollution" has been created in China to describe the local and global effects of disposable plastic bags in the environment.
Lightweight plastic bags are also blown into trees and other plants and can be misconstrued as flowers by animals that affect their diet. The plastic bag is broken, but never decomposes. As a result, the toxic additives they contain - including flame retardants, antimicrobials, and plasticizers - will be released into the environment. Many of these toxins directly affect the endocrine system of the organism, which controls almost every cell in the body. Research shows the average "lifespan" surgery of a plastic bag becomes about 20 minutes. Plastic bags can survive in landfills - anaerobic environments - up to 1000 years.
Plastic bags dumped in the Pacific Ocean will eventually end up in the Great Pacific dumpster. 80% of the plastic waste comes from the soil while the rest of the 20% comes from oil and ship platforms. Trash in the Pacific Ocean is bigger than garbage on land which makes it a problem for marine animals. Large amounts of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean can be eaten by marine animals, and this will end by blocking the respiratory tract and their stomach. Plastic bags do not just stay in the Great Pacific dumpster, but can be washed back to shore on beaches around the world.
Maps Phase-out of lightweight plastic bags
Regional development
Africa
Benin
Benin reportedly banned plastic bags in November 2017.
Botswana
Botswana introduced a levy on plastic bags that became effective in 2007. This has led many retailers to charge plastic bags and consequently a reduction in the use of plastic bags.
Cameroon
Cameroon bans disposable plastics in April 2014. There is a problem considering the black market activity.
Chad
There is a ban on plastic bags in N'Djamena.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of Congo banned plastic bags in 2011.
Eritrea
Eritrea banned plastic bags in 2005.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia has banned the production of several types of plastic bags.
Gabon
Gabon has had a ban on plastic bags since 2010.
Gambia
Gambia bans plastic bags by 2015.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau bans plastic bags by 2016, but the law has been poorly enforced.
Côte d'Ivoire
Ivory Coast bans plastic bags in 2014, but that's controversial with water vendors.
Kenya
Kenya tried to ban the manufacture and import of plastic bags in 2007 and 2011 as a way to protect the environment. The 2007 and 2011 ban devoted to plastics below 30 microns failed after manufacturers and retail outlets threatened to pass the cost of using other materials to consumers. In 2017, the secretary of the Cabinet of Environment and Natural Resources, Prof. Judy Wakhungu banned the use, manufacture and import of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging under Notification Number 2356. On 28 August 2017 Kenya began to impose a single ban on use throughout country. plastic bags. Primary packaging pouches, hospital waste bags, and waste liners have been exempt from the ban. The ban is considered one of the most stringent in the world. This includes the decision to imprison anyone involved in the manufacture or import of plastic bags for more than four years or to be forced to pay a fine of between $ 19,000 and $ 38,000. Kenya joins more than 40 other countries to ban plastic bags. The government has promised to ban disposable plastic items in the near future
Madagascar
Madagascar introduced a ban on plastic bags by 2015.
Malawi
Malawi introduced a ban on plastic bags by 2015.
Mali
Mali has banned plastic bags.
Mauritania
Mauritania prohibits the use, manufacture and import of plastic bags from January 2013 as a way to protect the environment, livestock, and marine species.
Morocco
Morocco passed a law in October 2015 banning the use of a national plastic bag. The law officially came into force on 1 July 2016. Before the ban, Morocco was the second largest consumer of plastic bags in Africa and the second in the world per capita after the United States.
Mozambique
Mozambique has had the cost of a plastic bag since February 5, 2016.
Niger
Niger has a ban on plastic bags that apply.
Rwanda
Rwanda forbade shops to hand out plastic bags to their customers in 2004. In 2008, Rwanda completely banned plastic bags as part of Vision 2020's plans for sustainability, despite a lucrative black market for products that are now banned. The Rwandan government provides tax breaks for companies to recycle instead of plastic bags, and create new markets for environmentally friendly bags. The lack of plastic bags has made Rwandan cities like Kigali cleaners.
Senegal
Senegal has banned plastic bags in April 2015.
Somalia
Plastic bags are banned in the Republic of Somaliland which was inaugurated on March 1, 2005 after a grace period of 120 days that the government has given to the public to remove their stock. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the cabinet decision in a decision entitled: "Banning the importation, production and use of plastic bags in the country". The bags were nicknamed "Hargeysa's flower," because many of them were finally blown off and trapped in trees and bushes, pose a danger to livestock because leaf-eating animals often swallow bags accidentally. In 2015 the prohibition was repeated by Presidential Decree no. # JSL/M/XERM/249-3178/042015, again providing a grace period of 120 days to get rid of the stock. To ensure the implementation of the ban, the government established a law enforcement team in 2016 to conduct a special drive launching an inquiry into a business kiosk. At least 1,000 uniformed men and women are placed in major markets and shopping centers. The government announced a fine against violators who continue to sell plastic bags in the country.
South Africa
Plastic bags became a major concern in South Africa before bag levies were introduced in 2004. The bags were never banned, but charges were introduced, paid for by plastic bag manufacturers. Thick plastic bags are picked up and although these measures initially cause anger with consumers and an initial volume drop, consumer use has steadily increased to several billion plastic shopping bags each year. http://www.econrsa.org/papers/p_papers/pp18.pdf
Tanzania
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar banned plastic bags in 2005. Tanzania introduced a national ban on plastic bags in 2006.
Tunisia
Tunisia introduced a ban on the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets starting from March 1, 2017. The deal was signed between the Ministry of Interior and Environment and the major supermarket chains in the country to impose the first phase of a process aimed at reducing the consumption of plastic bags. Tunisian activists plan an awareness campaign to establish a greener policy in the country.
Uganda
Uganda introduced legislation in 2007 to ban the sale of lightweight plastic bags under 30Ã,Âμm thick and thicker tax bags with a 120% punishment rate. Although the law came into force in September of that year, they have not been enacted and failed to reduce the use of plastic bags. The law is not well enforced.
Asia
Bangladesh
A strict ban was imposed in Bangladesh in 2002 after floods caused by plastic bags strewn drowned two-thirds of the country in waters between 1988 and 1998. Plastic bags remain a major problem for sewage systems and waterways.
Bhutan
Bhutan has banned plastic bags, but the law has so far been ineffective.
Cambodia
Cambodia passed a law to impose a plastic bag tax in October 2017. Supermarkets now charge customers 400 Riels (10 US cents) per plastic bag in case they need it.
China
The ban of plastic bags on ultra-thin plastic bags and plastic bag fees was introduced in China on June 1, 2008. This came into effect due to problems with sewerage and general waste. One 2009 survey showed that the use of plastic bags fell between 60 and 80% in Chinese supermarkets, and 40 billion fewer bags were used. However, first-hand accounts clearly show, the ban has seen limited success, and that the use of plastic bags remains prevalent. Street vendors and small shops, which are an important part of retailing in China, do not adhere to the policy in part because of the difficulty of enforcing the ban.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong prohibits retailers from providing a plastic bag with a certain thickness and free. The 50 cent plastic bag levy was applied on April 1, 2015 in Hong Kong. The use of plastic bags fell 90% after the introduction of user charges. The signs show that Hong Kong is gradually removing the use of plastic bags at a dramatic rate.
India
In 2002, India banned the production of plastic bags under 20Ã,Âμm in thickness to prevent plastic bags from clogging the city's drainage system and to prevent Indian cattle from swallowing plastic bags because they are confusing for food. However, enforcement remains a problem.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has also passed a regulation to ban all plastic bags less than 50 microns on March 18, 2016. Due to poor implementation of this regulation, local governments (state and municipal enterprises), have to apply their own regulations.
In 2016, Sikkim, India's first fully organic state, prohibits the use of not only bottled water in meetings or government functions but also food containers made of polystyrene foam throughout the state.
Himachal Pradesh is the first state to ban plastic bags less than 30 Âμm. The state of Karnataka became the first country to ban all forms of plastic bags, plastic banners, plastic buntings, flex, plastic flags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic spoons, cling films and plastic sheets to spread at the table regardless of thickness including items on top made of thermacol and plastic using micro plastic beads. The state of Goa has banned bags up to 40Ã,Âμm thick, while the city of Mumbai bans bags under minimum thickness up to 50Ã,Âμm.
Indonesia
Starting in 2016, the Ministry of the Environment implements retailers in 23 cities across the archipelago (mini markets, hypermarkets and supermarkets) to charge consumers for plastic bags between Rp 200 and Rp 5,000 for each bag including a degradable plastic bag. And money derived from taxes is used by retailers as public funds for waste management with non-governmental organizations.
Israel
Since January 2017, major retailers are required to charge consumers for plastic bags with handles, at NIS 0.10 for each bag. Tax receipts will be used to finance public waste management programs. The average use of plastic bags in Israel in 2014 is 275 per person per year. Four months after the law came into effect, the number of disposable plastic bags distributed by legalized retailers fell by as much as 80%.
Japanese
Legislation in Japan varies by region, from direct ban to none at all.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is considering a ban on plastic bags.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is considering a ban on plastic bags.
Malaysia
Tax on plastic bags is valid in Penang, while a similar tax in Selangor state is valid only on Saturdays, since 2011.
Myanmar
In 2009, a plastic bag factory in Rangoon was ordered by local authorities to stop production in late November or face severe punishment, as the Burmese government looks to ban plastic bags. Rangoon thus follows in the footsteps of Mandalay Burma center and the new capital of Naypyidaw, both of which have removed plastic bags.
Nepal
Nepal has banned plastic bags, but the law is not well enforced.
Pakistan
There is a ban on plastic bags in some parts of Pakistan, but there is poor enforcement.
Philippines
There is a ban on plastic bags in Manila, but that is not well enforced.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka bans plastic bags in 2017 because of the waste crisis.
Taiwan
In January 2003, Taiwan banned the free distribution of lightweight plastic bags. The ban prevents the owners of department stores, shopping centers, hypermarkets, department stores, fast food restaurants and regular restaurants from providing free plastic bags to their customers. Many stores have replaced plastic with recycled paper boxes. However, in 2006, the government decided to start allowing free plastic bags to be offered by food service operators.
Europe
European Union
In November 2013, the European Commission issued a proposal aimed at reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags (thickness below 50 microns). Under the proposal, EU member states can choose the most appropriate action to prevent the use of plastic bags. On April 16, 2014, the European Parliament issued an order to reduce the use of plastic bags by 50% by 2017 and 80% by 2019.
Austria
Austria has voluntary agreements in places where retailers apply fees for bags.
Belgium
Belgium has a ban on plastic bags in Wallonia and Brussels, with a ban set to be also introduced to Flanders.
Bulgarian
Bulgaria has experienced a significant decline in usage since it has been charged to plastic bags.
Croatian
Croatia plans to introduce a plastic bag load by 2019.
Cyprus
Cyprus introduced bag fees on January 1, 2018, although the shops reportedly ignored the new law. The shops will be penalized for handing out free bags after July 1, 2018.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has a levy of plastic bags in place.
Denmark
In 2003, Denmark introduced taxes on retailers who distributed plastic bags. This encourages stores to fill plastic bags and encourage the use of reusable bags. It is estimated that this saves approximately 66% of plastic bags and paper. In 2004, a similar law was passed by Inatsisartut in Greenland, which applied a recycling tax on plastic bags. By 2014 Denmark has the lowest use of plastic bags in Europe, with 4 bags per person per year, compared with 466 in Portugal, Poland and Slovakia.
Estonian
Estonia introduced luggage taxes in July 2017.
Finnish
Finland applies taxes to plastic bags through voluntary agreements.
French
After the National Assembly vote on October 11, 2014, France bans plastic carrying bags under 50 microns starting July 1, 2016. Produce bags is prohibited from 1 January 2017. Usable or re-compostable bags are allowed.
Georgia
Georgia is reported to have banned plastic bags, by 2017.
German
Germany imposes excess packaging fees through the Green Dot program, which includes a plastic bag. In addition, all shops in Germany that provide plastic bags must pay recycling taxes.
An agreement was signed between trade representatives and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Buildings and Nuclear Safety in April 2016 to reduce plastic bags, except for thin bags for fruit and vegetables, bags for deep-freeze products and long-term pockets that can be used, many stores are no longer offering such plastic bags free of charge since July 2016. If goals are not met, it is foreseen that legislation can be passed from stores not to share them. The political background for this is a recent change to the European 94/62/EG directive which requires member states to reduce the number of annual per capita plastic bags to a maximum of 90 by the end of 2019 and to a maximum of 40 by the end of 2025, while Germany have used 70 bags per capita so far.
Greek
The cost of plastic bags was introduced on January 1, 2018. Bags cost 4 cents each, which would then increase to 7 cents on January 1, 2019.
Hungarian
Hungary has voluntary agreements with retailers where they apply fees for bags.
ireland
Ireland introduced taxes of EUR0.15 in March 2002. Paid on consumers at the point of sale, this caused 90% of consumers to use durable bags in a year. The tax increased to EUR0.22 in 2007. Income is included in the Environmental Fund.
Italy
In January 2011, Italy banned the distribution of lightweight plastic bags that were not from biodegradable sources.
Latvian
Latvia will introduce bag fees on January 1, 2019.
Lithuania
Lithuania will introduce bag fees on December 31, 2018.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg applies taxes to plastic bags.
Malta
Malta has had environmental taxes on plastic bags since 2009, but that is not well enforced.
Moldova
Moldovan Parliament has passed a law banning plastic bags. This goes into effect for larger retailers by 2017, and is scheduled to take effect for mid-sized retailers on January 1, 2018 and for small resellers by 2020.
Dutch
The Netherlands imposed a comprehensive ban on free plastic shopping bags on January 1, 2016. The ban has a small number of exceptions for non-packaged food products exposed to possible contamination, such as fresh fruit. The target price for the plastic bag is EUR0.25.
Norwegian
Norway has voluntary agreements with retailers where they apply fees for bags.
Polish
It has been reported that Poland introduced the cost of plastic bags in early 2018.
Portugal
Portugal has imposed a plastic bag tax which led to a 90% reduction in usage. Although the Portuguese government was not proactive in applying this plastic bag ban, some supermarkets in Portugal decided to apply 2 cents of the euro cost on each plastic bag. On Madeira Island where the supermarket applies the cost of this bag, there is a 64% reduction in the consumption of plastic bags.
Romanian
A law was introduced in 2006 (law 578/2006) - and then modified in 2011 (law 1032/2011) - which places compulsory taxes on non-biodegradable plastic bags. Modifications in 2011 reduced the tax on plastic bags and are considered by some as a step back from environmental protection.
Serbian
Serbia has a tax on manufacturers and importers of plastic bags.
Slovakia
Slovakia has a mandatory fee for certain types of plastic bags. The charge was introduced on January 1, 2018.
Slovenia
Slovenia plans to ban free lightweight plastic bags from January 1, 2019.
Spanish
Spain will introduce a plastic bag fee by 2018. Catalonia has had a bag fee since April 2017.
Swedish
Sweden has a levy of plastic bags in place.
Swiss
By 2016, Switzerland's two largest supermarket chains, the Federation of Cooperatives and Migros Cooperatives, announced that they will stop handing out free plastic bags (at check-out). Both distributors announced that they would not make money with paid bags, but the profits from their sales would be invested in environmental projects.
Migros had previously tested the size in Canton of Vaud since 2013: they reduced the number of plastic bags distributed by ninety percent (and saved 100,000 francs per year). Migros will be the first to introduce the size across the country, on November 1, 2016 (bags will be made with recycled plastics and cost 0.05 Swiss francs each). Coop plans to introduce this in 2017.
Turkish
The banned plastic bags are parts of Turkey and the charges are scheduled to be nationally introduced in January 2018.
United Kingdom
The Climate Change Act 2008 serves as a legislative framework for the arrangement of plastic bags in the UK.
Wales
Wales introduced a legal minimum 5 cents for almost all single-use bags in October 2011. Biodegradable paper and bags are included in cargo and plastic bags, with only a few special exceptions - such as for packaged foods or medicines provided on NHS prescriptions. VAT obtained from bills is collected by the government. Resellers are required to pass the remainder of the proceeds to charity. July 2012 statistics released by the Welsh Government suggest that the use of carrier bags in Wales has been reduced by 96% since the introduction of fees.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland introduced a 5 percent levy on virtually all single-use bags on April 8, 2013. Retribution will be extended for reusable carrier bags at retail prices of less than 20 cents starting January 19, 2014 because data from a number of retailers indicates that reusable bag sales has increased by 800% since the introduction of user charges on a single-use bag. The proceeds from the retribution (Ã, £ 4.17m in 2013/14) are paid to the Department of the Environment and used to fund local environmental projects and impose user charges. Official statistics for Northern Ireland retribution show that the number of single use bags being distributed drops from about 300 million in 2012/13 to 84.5 million in 2013/14 - a reduction of 72%.
Scotland
A minimum cost of five pence for disposable carrying bags is enforced in Scotland on October 20, 2014. The results of such fees may be used by retailers as they see fit, although retailers are encouraged to promise to donate proceeds to "good cause." " plastic bags, and include biodegradable pockets, such as paper, bags for non-packaged foods, loose seeds, soil contaminated articles, axes, knives or knives, medicines or medical equipment raw fish, meat or poultry packaged in small packages ; aquatic animals; purchases made in restricted areas of aerodrome security; or goods purchased on boats, trains, aircraft, trainers or buses are exempt from cost.
English
Britain is the last country in the United Kingdom to charge 5 pence, with retribution taking effect on October 5, 2015. Prior to the introduction of plastic bag regulations, various retailers participated in voluntary action to reduce the consumption of plastic bags.
Unlike other parts of the UK, the English fee does not apply to paper bags or bags made from other natural materials. Like any other country, VAT earned from sales will be collected by the Government. Retailers can choose how money earned from bag sales is used. The government publishes information every year about the scheme, encouraging retailers to donate proceeds to charities.
In the first 6 months, 640 million plastic bags were used in seven major supermarkets in the UK, collecting Ã, Â £ 29.2 million for a good cause. Britain is reported to have distributed 0.6 billion disposable bags during the first half year of its cost, 7 billion less than it distributed in 2014.
To promote the growth of new business in the UK, retailers with fewer than 250 employees are exempt from fees. Opponents of small reseller exemptions argue that this exclusion will reduce the environmental impact of cargo. In response to this criticism, in January 2018 the British government announced plans to extend the cost to all retailers.
North America
Antigua and Barbuda
There is a ban on plastic bags in Antigua and Barbuda.
Bahamas
The Bahamas have announced plans to ban plastic bags by 2020.
Belize
Belize has promised to ban plastic bags on April 22, 2019 (Earth Day).
Canada
In March 2007, a small town in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, became the first community in North America to ban bags.
The Toronto City Council voted on June 6, 2012 to ban plastic bags effective January 1, 2013, and canceled the five cent city bag charge starting July 1, 2012. Industry groups have convinced city officials to include grace periods between January 1, 2013 and June 30 2013, when no fines, just warnings, that can be issued. The ban bag and the cost of five cents (six cents with HST) have been ousted on November 28, 2012 and it is up to individuals if they want to charge for plastic bags. Most stores, with the exception of some national retailers, do not charge a fee.
Guatemala
Some municipalities in Guatemala have banned plastic bags, including San Pedro La Laguna.
Haiti
Haiti has banned plastic bags.
Jamaica
There is a working group that examines the state movement to ban plastic bags in Jamaica.
Mexico
Mexico approved a law to ban and dispel plastic bags in August 2010. However, the law was not observed. Mexico City banned plastic bags in 2010, but plastic bags remain one of the biggest pollution problems in Mexico. QuerÃÆ' Â © taro city prohibits plastic bags by 2017.
Panama
The Panamanian Council has passed a law banning plastic bags. The law was approved by the president in January 2017 and the retailers have until January 2020 to stop their existing stock.
United States
There are no national plastic bag fees or restrictions currently in force in the United States. However, the state of California, and the territories of American Samoa and Puerto Rico have banned disposable bags. More than 200 districts and municipalities have enforced good procedures that charge plastic bags or ban them directly, including all districts in Hawaii. Other attempts to ban plastic shopping bags across the state (eg in Massachusetts) have not been successful mainly because of lobbying the plastics industry. Some jurisdictions have chosen to apply a cost-only approach to bag reduction such as Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, adjacent Maryland. Several US states, such as Florida and Arizona, have passed a law prohibiting a ban on plastic bags across the state to prevent local municipalities from violating their own prohibitions.
Note
- 1 The city of Fort Collins, Colorado costs 5Ã, for a disposable bag on August 19, 2014, and pulls it out on October 21, 2014.
- 2 Although the state of Hawaii does not ban plastic bags, all of its local jurisdictions, effectively bans them across the state.
California
California voted in November 2016 to approve state legislation banning statewide plastic bags in Propositions 67 and 65. More than 100 local laws with the same or more stringent regulations will remain and replace statewide laws.
Note:
- 1 San Mateo County Environmental Impact Report also studied six cities in neighboring Santa Clara. Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos, and Mountain View chose to join the San Mateo County regulations because of this.
Oceania
Australia
Although the state does not ban lightweight bags, the states of South Australia, Tasmania, and ACT and the Northern Territory, along with several cities independently have banned the bag. Coles Bay, Tasmania is the first location in Australia to ban the bag. The introduction of the "No Disposal" program in South Australia led to a ban on light bags in October 2008. An estimated 400 million bags are kept annually. Western Australia and Queensland will ban plastic bags on July 1, 2018 and Victoria is considering a ban.
In Australia, 6 billion HDPE bags were used in 2002. Usage decreased to 5.6 billion in 2004, and 3.9 billion in 2007.
New Zealand
Despite various efforts, by 2015, there is no law passed in New Zealand for the cost or ban of plastic bags.
Papua New Guinea
By 2015, Papua New Guinea announces a previous ban on non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags will come into effect starting January 1, 2016.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu bans plastic bags on January 31, 2018.
South America
ArgentinaIn 2012, the city government of Buenos Aires allows supermarkets charge for plastic bags to prevent its use, which is said to have reduced its use by 50%. In 2016 the city announced a full ban on the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets and hypermarkets, starting January 1, 2017.
In 2009 the Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, Daniel Scioli, approved the Act 13868, which mandates that by the end of the year, all biodegradable plastic bags should be removed for the sake of degradable materials.
Other provinces such as NeuquÃÆ' nà © n, Chubut, RÃÆ'o Negro and cities like Rosario, Villa Gesell or Bariloche have banned the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets as well.
Bolivia
Plastic bags are prohibited in La Paz.
Brazil
Sao Paulo bans plastic bags by 2015.
Chile
Chile has banned plastic bags in some coastal areas.
Colombian
Colombia plans to reduce the use of plastic bags by 80% by 2020, and completely eliminate its use by 2025. On April 29, 2016, the Ministry of Environment issued a resolution banning plastic bags under 30 cm to 30 cm.
Starting July 1, 2017, the Government of Colombia imposed a tax of 20 pesos per plastic bag, with an annual increase of 10 pesos per bag by 2020.
Various methods of phase-out
The two most popular methods for removing lightweight plastic bags have been described above, including cost and prohibition. The cost strategy is said to have all the same results in the reduction of plastic bags as a plastic bag ban, with the added benefit of creating new revenue sources. The cost method of plastic bags also protects consumer choices, which the ban is not.
Recycling plastic bags can be another method to get out. However, the big problem with recycling is only 5% of plastic bags that can be used for recycling. Even when bags are taken to these trash and recycling facilities, they often fly out of this trash can or recycle trucks and end up as trash on the streets. Another problem with recycling is that different bags are made of different but aesthetic plastic types. Bags can be made of bioplastics or biodegradable plastics, and if accidentally combined in compost, bioplastics can contaminate biodegradable composting. This bag can also coat recycled equipment when mixed with other types of plastics, which can be expensive to repair. The repair cost is rounded to about $ 1 million per year in San Jose, California.
See also
- Biodegradable Bag
- Phase of incandescent light bulb
- Sustainability
- Waste management
- Reusable shopping bag
References
External links
- COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water
- EPHC on Plastic Bag
- Plastic Bag Bag Report | Plastic bags, Sea Debris & amp; Environment
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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