FRANKFURT: Germany plans a law to ban the use of plastic bags because voluntary agreements with retailers to curb usage have not yielded good enough results, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said on Sunday (Aug 11)."My ministry will get a plastic bag ban on its way," she said, not giving a timetable for the plan, adding her aim was "that we get out of the throw-away society and that overall, we use less plastic."Her remarks came after the Sunday daily Bild am Sonntag earlier on Sunday reported on her plans.The European Union will outlaw certain single-use plastic products such as straws, forks and knives from 2021, but has allowed transition times for others. … [Read more...] about German minister prepares law to ban plastic bags
Plastic bags ban
Three MPs renew call to charge for use of plastic bags
Think again, Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten) urged the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) yesterday, as he called for a charge to be put on plastic bags. "I don't see why MEWR is so resistant to imposing charges on plastic bags," Mr Lim said. "When I go overseas and they tell me, you have to pay five cents or 10 cents if you want a plastic bag, the general attitude of most consumers is that they might as well cut all that. "That helps reduce the use of plastic bags," he told Parliament. Mr Lim was among three MPs renewing the call to cut down on the use of plastic bags. Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) said the use of plastic bags fell by 80 per cent in Britain after a charge was imposed. "We're not saying ban or replace plastic bags, but we are calling for a plastic bag charge so that we can reduce the use of plastic bags. I think if we focus on this, then the Say Yes to Waste Less campaign will go a lot faster," he added, referring to a campaign by the National … [Read more...] about Three MPs renew call to charge for use of plastic bags
Three MPs renew call for charge on single-use plastic bags
Think again, Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten) urged the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) yesterday, as he called for a charge to be put on plastic bags. "I don't see why MEWR is so resistant to imposing charges on plastic bags," Mr Lim said. "When I go overseas and they tell me, you have to pay five cents or 10 cents if you want a plastic bag, the general attitude of most consumers is that they might as well cut all that. "That helps reduce the use of plastic bags," he told Parliament. Mr Lim was among three MPs renewing the call to cut down the use of plastic bags. Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) said the use of plastic bags fell by 80 per cent in Britain after a charge was imposed. "We're not saying ban or replace plastic bags, but we are calling for a plastic bag charge so that we can reduce the use of plastic bags. I think if we focus on this, then the Say Yes to Waste Less campaign will go a lot faster," he added, referring to a campaign by the National Environment … [Read more...] about Three MPs renew call for charge on single-use plastic bags
Panama becomes first Central American nation to ban plastic bags
Panama on Saturday became the first Central American nation to ban single-use plastic bags to try to curb pollution on its beaches and help tackle what the United Nations has identified as one of the world's biggest environmental challenges. The isthmus nation of roughly 4 million people joined more than 60 other countries that have totally or partially banned single-use plastic bags, or introduced taxes to dissuade their use, including Chile and Colombia in the region. Supermarkets, pharmacies and retailers in Panama must stop using traditional polyethylene plastic bags immediately, while wholesale stores will have until 2020 to conform to the policy approved in 2018. Fines can be applied for non-compliance but there are exceptions for the use of plastic bags for sanitary reasons, such as with raw food. On the streets of Panama City, signs with the phrase "less bags, more life" reminded passersby that the measure had gone into effect. Read also: Plastic straws and bags no more: Canada … [Read more...] about Panama becomes first Central American nation to ban plastic bags
New Zealand’s ban on single-use plastic bags comes into effect
WELLINGTON (XINHUA) - Single-use plastic bags are officially banned for all New Zealand retailers from Monday (July 1). As stipulated by the Waste Minimisation (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulations 2018, which came into force on Monday, New Zealand retailers including stores, supermarkets and restaurants will no longer be able to sell or distribute any single-use plastic shopping bags. Single-use plastic shopping bags are defined as any plastic bag which has handles and is less than 70 microns thick. Plastic shopping bags in the fruit and vegetable section and other areas of supermarkets are the only exemption. New Zealand Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage said that the ban on single-use plastic shopping bags is a step towards healthier oceans and giving nature a hand. "New Zealanders are proud of our country's clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it. The plastic shopping bag ban is one step to tackle New Zealand's waste issues. We also need to recharge … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s ban on single-use plastic bags comes into effect