New Zealand has become the first country in the world to ban ultralight, clear plastic bags, commonly used for fruit and vegetables in supermarkets and grocery stores.
The New Zealand government hopes to reduce the use of 150 million plastic bags a year. There are “17,000 plastic bags per hour,” said Environment Minister James Palmer in a statement released Tuesday by the New Zealand government.
The measure, which took effect on July 1, also covers plastic labels commonly used on fruit, straws, cutlery and disposable plastic plates, which are now banned in the country.
In the case of straws, they can continue to be used by people with disabilities or special health care.
In Portugal, the law that prohibits the use of ultralight bags was supposed to come into force on June 1, but the Government preferred to change the rule and start charging for each bag.
“In the future, priority should be given to the use of own bags or reusable alternatives. The use of very light bags will be subject to the payment of a contribution, just like light plastic bags”, explained the Ministry of Environment and Climate. Action to the News newspaper at the end of May, without disclosing how much each bag will cost or when the charge will take effect.
Source: TSF
