Hello, where4-ga!
There is a good deal of action taken by countries around the world
concerning the use of polythene bags. Amazingly, countries like
Bangladesh are far ahead of the more industrialized countries when it
comes to taking action!
I have compiled quite a bit of information from different countries.
However, most of it comes in very small snippets from short article
references here and there. Some articles refer to pending legislation,
but they may be three or four years old, and there is no further
information readily available.
I hope, however, that the following references provide a good
overview of the countries that have imposed bans, taxes, or are
encouraging restricted use of polythene bags.
TYPES OF POLYTHENE BAGS
=========================
There are three main categories of Polythene bags:
* Small HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) produce and product bags used
for example to help contain fruit and vegetables or protect greetings
cards and similar purchases.
* Supermarket HDPE Carrier Bags used as a container at the checkout of
supermarkets and food stores to help separateout and carry home the
products purchased.
* LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) used as a more durable or prestige
bag by retailers such as department stores, high streetfashion stores,
museums and art galleries andother national institutes and
organisations.
http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:VeRps6HWheYJ:www.carrierbagtax.com/downloads/environment.pdf+countries+with+restrictions+on+polythene+bags&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
ACTIONS BY COUNTRY
==================
PAKISTAN
========
Ban on plastic bags in Karachi:
"Despite environmental disaster of Tasman Spirit in the city,
Karachiites read a very positive news in the month of November that
the City District Government of Karachi has decided to put complete
ban on sell and use of polythene bags in the city after June 2004. For
this purpose, the City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has constituted a
committee to chalk out procedure how to implement this ban. A large
number of people are associated with manufacturing of these bags and
any ban on the industry may cause loss of jobs of those people."
"Polythene bags have been playing havoc with the city's environment,
particularly the city's sewerage system is bearing the major burden as
most of the time these light-weight plastic bags cause choking of the
city's drainage system."
From "2004: Is it a New Age Against all Odds?"
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/2003%20year%20supp/p4.htm
NEPAL
======
"At an environmental conference here this month, Nepal's junior
minister for population and environment, Bhakta Bahadur Balayar,
declared his ministry's willingness to go along with the
environmentalists. ''MOPE (acronym for the ministry) is all set to ban
polythene bags, especially the black ones (made from recycled
polythene),'' the minister said. ''We are drafting a bill to be
introduced in the next parliamentary session.''
"Nepali environmentalists are jubilant. They want to see the return of
biodegradable packaging material, like jute, cloth and paper bags -
widely used before the takeover by plastic. ''There is more harm than
benefit by the use of plastics,'' says a new report by the Nepal Forum
of Environmental Journalists, which is leading the war against plastic
carry bags. According to the report, plastic is not biodegradable and
releases harmful dioxins into the air. Besides, people who work in
plastic industries are at a greater risk for cancer and other
diseases, it said."
"Discarded plastic is an urban nightmare. Dr Toran Sharma, who works
for the Nepal Environmental and Scientific Services, says discarded
plastic bags are a notorious clogger of sewage lines and drains.
''Because it doesn't rot and turn into compost, plastic bags discarded
in fields decrease the productivity of arable land,'' Sharma said."
From "Plastic bags to be binned," by Suman Pradhan. Asia Times. (January 2000)
http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/BA20Df02.html
INDIA
=====
Shimla, Aug 9: "Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the
country to impose a complete ban on polythene bags. State Chief
Minister Veerbhadra Singh said that non-compliance of the ban would
result in imprisionment of five years or a fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh or
both. He also said that a proper awareness drive would be undertaken
to educate people on the ill-effects of polythene bags. Asserting that
proper care would be taken to rehabilitate the small-scale industries
affected by this ban, he said it was being introduced to preserve
ecological balance. The people of Himachal are quiet happy with the
move."
From Travel Times (2003)
http://www.indiatraveltimes.com/travelnews/aug03.html
=
"The Supreme Court of India recently appointed a committee to look
into the various issues surrounding plastic waste. In Mumbai (formally
Bombay) last year, the Council banned plastic bags as they were
littering the streets and clogging up the drainage and sewerage
systems. Market traders now handout recycled paper bags. Factories and
shops suspected of manufacturing and supplyingplastic bags are raided
by the police. This campaign has been a success and they have seized
over 2000kg of plastic bags since it begun."
From "Plastic Shopping Bag Report." Zero Waste (June 2002)
http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/assets/Reports/PlasticShoppingBagsandbiodegradablepackaging.pdf
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
===================
"Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to ban import, manufacture
and use of polythene bags in the state in a phased manner. "A
comprehensive legislation will be enacted for the purpose shortly,"
chief secretary Ashok Jaitly said on Wednesday. "He said it has been
decided that import of polythene bags and use of recycled coloured
polythene bags, which are highly toxic and environment unfriendly,
will be banned immediately. A complete ban on manufacture and use of
all types of polythene bags will be imposed from January 1, 2002."
From "J&K govt bans use of polythene bags." Times of India. (May 17, 2001)
http://sdnp.delhi.nic.in/resources/pollution/news/toi-17-05-01-polythenebanjk.html
IRELAND
=========
Tax imposed:
"The plastic bag tax was initially promised by Fianna Fail, the party
that held government following the 1997 election, but Friends of the
Earth Ireland were calling for the tax prior to that. A consultants'
report to the Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey, recommended
a levy of between 4.5 and 15 euro cents (equivalent to 9 - 30 NZc) on
plastic bags. However, while the report recommended that the levy
should be paid by supermarkets or by the suppliers of plastic bags,
the Minister decided that the shopper should pay. He felt consumers
had to be hit as hard as possible if they were to change their
shopping habits. With the few usual exceptions there was almost
unanimous support from the general public for the idea. Polling
carried out two years ago found that the general public were massively
infavour of the levy. Initially there was a negative response from
retailers. The reason it took two years for the tax to be imposed was
because supermarkets were opposed to the idea. The tax finally came
into force on March 4, 2002."
From "Plastic Shopping Bag Report." Zero Waste (June 2002)
http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/assets/Reports/PlasticShoppingBagsandbiodegradablepackaging.pdf
=
Read "Irish bag tax hailed success." BBC News (August 2002)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2205419.stm
HONG KONG
=========
Attempts at reduction in use:
"In May 1994 a ?Use Fewer Plastic Bags? campaign was launched with an
initial target of reducing use by 10%. More than 1,500 retail outlets
agreed to take part in the drive and devised action plans to achieve
the target. The campaign was a resounding success. In its first year
more than 30% of participating retailers achieved or surpassed the 10%
reduction target, leading to an overall reduction of more than 35
million plastic bags."
From "Plastic Shopping Bag Report." Zero Waste (June 2002)
http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/assets/Reports/PlasticShoppingBagsandbiodegradablepackaging.pdf
SINGAPORE
==========
"The Singapore government is launching a campaign to discourage their use.
From "Plastic Shopping Bag Report." Zero Waste (June 2002)
http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/assets/Reports/PlasticShoppingBagsandbiodegradablepackaging.pdf
=
"Bangladesh banned polythene bags altogether and * Singapore * and
Taiwan look set to do the same."
From "Plastic Bag Tax." IDYS Policy Book
http://www.hhlibdems.org.uk/ldys/policy/book.php
CHINA
========
"November 2003, Shanghai reports that selected supermarkets will begin
charging customers for plastic bags from 2004 in a bid to reduce waste
going to landfill and littering problems.
From "Plastic Shopping Bag Report." Zero Waste (June 2002)
http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/assets/Reports/PlasticShoppingBagsandbiodegradablepackaging.pdf
=
"Taiwan will introduce today a ban on plastic shopping bags in an
effort to help improve the environment. Companies that distribute the
bags will be fined up to 300,000 Taiwan dollars (8,940 US dollars)
under the new law, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
has launched television commercials urging individuals not to use
them."
Activists have long complained that Taiwan is drowning in a sea of
plastic bags with more than 16 million a day handed out on the island.
The EPA estimates plastic accounts for about 20 per cent of the
domestic garbage produced by the island's 23 million people -- five
per cent higher than in other industrialised countries."
"A similar restriction banning polythene bag production was introduced
late last year in Bangladesh where the country's daily use of 100
million bags was blamed for major environmental problems."
"As a reminder of Taiwan's new policy, the EPA has launched television
commercials asking the public to use their own shopping bags."
"Government agencies, schools and military units will be banned from
handing out plastic bags, the EPA said, with the ban extended to
supermarkets, chain stores, fast-food shops and department stores from
January 1. Offenders could be fined up to 300,000 Taiwan dollars."
From "Taiwan bans plastic bags." The Daily Star (Mon. July 01, 2002)
http://www.thedailystar.net/dailystarnews/200207/01/n2070113.htm#BODY4
=
Taipei City
"Beginning on July 1, 2002, the EPA implemented the "Plastic Shopping
Bag and Plastic Disposable Dishes Use Restriction Policy," imposing
restrictions on the use of plastic shopping bags....
From "Q&A About the ROC (Taiwan)."
http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/q&a/page_12.htm
BANGLADESH
===========
"Polythene bags banned in Dhaka from 1st January 2002." World
Environment Day, 2003. http://wbb.globalink.org/tnews.htm
"The Government of Bangladesh has banned the use of polythene (very
thin plastic) bags in the capital city of Dhaka, effective from 1
January 2002. A nationwide ban will follow on the 1st of March.
Polythene bags have long been recognized as an environmental and
health hazard. Because the bags are not biodegradable, they pollute
the nation's rivers, lakes, and soil. They also clog drains,
contributing to devastating flooding during the monsoon season. It is
reported that there is a 5-6 foot layer of polythene bags on the
riverbed of one major river. The initial reaction to the ban has been
mostly positive, with Dhaka residents turning to the use of jute bags,
the declining "golden fiber" of Bangladesh. The production and
disposal of reusable jute bags do not harm the environment, and the
government and NGOs hope to see people return to the environmentally
friendly ways of the past, where people took jute bags and baskets of
assorted local materials with them to market. It is also hoped that a
successful ban in Bangladesh will be an example to other countries
also plagued by the presence of polythene bags."
=
"Bangladesh environmental group ESDO has achieved its long-time goal
of a ban on all polythene shopping bags in the country. The speed at
which the law was enacted -- one month after the bill was introduced
last March 30 -- and the fact that it was passed unanimously,
indicated the importance of the issue among legislators. The law took
effect last December, and it was expected that by the Bengali New Year
(April 14), Bangladesh would be free of polythene shopping bags. In
Dhaka, environmental protection authorities achieved the target
effectively."
From "Ban the bag n bottle," by Abdul Hameed.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2003-weekly/nos-29-06-2003/foo.htm
=
Also read "Ban on polybags to create jobs in jute sector: Siraj."
http://www.thedailystar.net/dailystarnews/200112/28/n1122803.htm#BODY4
TASMANIA
========
"An example of a local government initiating action is Coles Bay in
Tasmania, which with assistance from Planet Ark declared itself
Plastic Bag Free and enlisted the support of all its retail outlets to
ban plastic checkout shopping bags."
From Zero Waste SA (2004)
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/zerowaste/plastic_bags.html
AUSTRALIA
==========
The country is diligently working to reduce the use of HDPE plastic bags.
See the "Australian Retailers Association Code of Practice for the
Management of Plastic Bags (9 October 2003)
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/zerowaste/pdfs/arabagcode.pdf
Excerpts:
* Reduce - "signatories will implement cost-effective initiatives to
reduce the issuance of those current lightweight HDPE bags not already
being recycled or reused"
...
* Review of the Code - "after 18 months of implementation, the Code
will be reviewed by a retail indudstry working group with the goal of
achieving a continual imporvement in the sustainable management and
reduction of current lightweight HDPE bags."
"This Code covers the period 10 October 2003 to 31 December 2005."
SOUTH AFRICA
=============
"Known as the country's "national flower" because they litter streets
- retailers handing out the bags now face a fine of 100,000 rand
($13,800) or a 10-year jail sentence. The legislation means shoppers
will either have to take bags with them when they go shopping, or buy
new, thick, stronger plastic bags that are easier and more profitable
to recycle."
...
"We want to get rid of plastic bag waste completely. We are hoping to
walk around in our streets in a year's time and see far less waste."
"The move from bags with an average of 17 microns in thickness to the
new minimum of 30 microns started about two years ago. The government
wanted to ban all plastic bags thinner than 80 microns, but the
proposal caused an outcry among trade unions and business."
Read more....
From "South Africa bans plastic bags." BBC News. (May 9, 2003)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3013419.stm
SRI LANKA
==========
"(Mrs.) Ajantha Perera, Founder, National Program on Recycling of
Solid Waste, in a press release has thanked the LTTE for banning
polythene Bags within the Vanni Area."
...
"Unfortunately many Sri Lankans have become addicted to these shopping
bags. They prefer them as they are light to carry, in fact both solid
as well as liquid items can be carried in those bags and most
important for the Sri Lankan community they are inexpensive. The
traditional shopping bag industry of Sri lanka was suppressed in
nineteen seventies through the popularization of this foreign
product-the thin high density polyethylene bags or 'Sili Sili' bags."
"Nevertheless the environmentally conscious Sri Lankans have waited so
long for someone to stop the use of these environmentally hazardous
bags, therefore it is a great joy to see that the LTTE organization
has taken this step to ban the use of these bags in the Vanni area.
The District Secretary of Vavuniya who in the past too has supported
many of the environmental programs confirmed that this decision has
been taken. We hope that the other local authorities too would have
the courage to completely stop the use of these polythene bags in
their areas and encourage the production of environmentally friendly
bags such as cane, cloth, paper or jute. Once the polythene bags are
no more available, the development and production of alternative bags
will be a rapid process."
From "LTTE thanked for banning polythene bags in Vanni area." Source:
Ceylon Daily News (September 6, 2003)
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/pageview.php?ID=1981&SID=405
DENMARK
=======
"The only other European state which taxes plastic bags is Denmark,
which has a tax on all packaging...."
From "As Ireland goes green and imposes a tax on plastic shopping
bags, should Britain follow suit?" by Charles Arthur. The Independent
(March 2002)
http://www.cleannorth.org/article/353.html?mode=nocomment
ITALY
=====
"In many countries like Italy, a tax is imposed on the manufacturers
of polythene bags. This increases the cost of the bags and people stop
using them."
The Gobar Times. http://www.gobartimes.org/noidaspl/gt_covfeature1.htm
=
"The Italian government taxes every non-biodegradable plastic bag 250
lira (about 15 US cents)"
From "Plastics You Could Eat," by Kathy Sykes. First Science
http://www.firstscience.com/site/articles/sykes.asp
UGANDA
======
"NATIONAL Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has suggested higher
taxes on polythene bags (buveera)..."
From Greenwatch Uganda
http://www.greenwatch.or.ug/greenwatch_news.htm
=
"Introduction of an excise duty of 20-percent on polythene bags and
plastic containers."
From Uganda Revenue Authority Tax News. (June 2002)
http://www.ugrevenue.com/pdfs/bulletins/TaxNewsVol1No5.pdf
=
"The production and recycling of polythene bags in Uganda stands at
about 700 tonnes annually from 13 different manufacturers and this
accounts for only 10-20% of local consumption and the level of
importation is uncertain but some sources suggest 40,000 tonnes
annually. The difficulties in disposal of polythene bags (buveera) and
plastic containers have given rise to serious environmental concerns,
including their impacts on aesthetics, the blockage of drainage,
suffocation of children and animals and soil degradation. Material
action was required in order to encourage producers and consumers to
economise on the use of these bags and bottles and to develop more
environmentally friendly alternatives. As a result, an excise duty of
50 percent was imposed on polythene bags and plastic containers in
June 2002. This tax, however, has resulted in increased smuggling of
buveera into the country and this has the double damaging impact of
loss of revenue and increased environmental degradation. Despite the
tax imposed, the common practise of giving free buveera to customers
by traders is still rampant. This greatly contributes to the
proliferation of indiscriminate use of the non-biodegradable plastic
containers in Uganda. A petition against the use of polythene bags
filed by Greenwatch, a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in
November 2002 in the High Court in Kampala says that the "manufacture,
use, sale, disposal of plastic bags, plastic containers and plastic
food wrappers" is a violation of the Ugandans rights to a clean and
healthy environment and should be stopped. The Government of Uganda
and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) are the
respondents. Greenwatch has also asked court to prohibit the
manufacture of these items."
From "Country/Sub-regional Report on Possible Project Initiatives on
Plastics Waste Management and EDP from Renewable Resources in Uganda
and Central African countries," by Patrick Mwesigye and Robina Sabano.
Concept Paper presented at EGM on Environmentally Degradable Plastics
and Promotion of Related Projects, Trieste, Italy 10-11 July 2003
http://www.ics.trieste.it/documents/chemistry/plastics/activities/egm-July2003/Uganda%20abs.pdf
=
Also read "Plastics Sector Lobbies on Taxes." Uganda Business Bulletin
http://www.uma.co.ug/uploaded_files/1063086619August16th%20-%2030th%20bulet.pdf
========
It is quite a task to find all the countries that have pending
legislation or actions regarding polythene bags. However, I have tried
to provide the most extensive overview I can within the price
paramaters of your question. I hope this information proves helpful!
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
countries with restrictions on polythene bags
Nepal bans polythene bags
Nepal AND polythene bags
restrictions on polythene bags
Singapore AND restrictions on polythene bags
polythene bags Denmark tax levy
Italy tax on polythene carrier bags
taxes on polythene bags
Uganda AND taxes on polythene bags
polythene bags +tax or levy
polythene bags +environmental damage |
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
09 Mar 2004 17:35 PST
Hello again, where4!
I am sorry this extra information has taken so long. An answer that I
thought would be relatively easy has turned out to be covered up under
layers of irrelevant information, which, when waded through,
occasionally turns up a useful reference (often not more than a
sentence or two) here or there. When I try to go further and explore
the issue in depth by performing a country search, I usually find
little else.
One aspect of your question that I would like to address is that many
of the countries that have an emphasis on effective waste disposal
and/or a good recycling program do not ban polythene bags. Many of
those countries that have banned polythene bags or restricted their
use have fewer resources for managing waste and developing recycling
programs.
"In developed countries polythene bags are not banned, rather used for
all items and being collected/ stored and recycled systematically."
From "Banning polythene and mismanagement of government," by Arif
Husain. The Daily Star.
(July 18, 2003) http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/07/18/d30718110671.htm
==
"The EPA does not see the bags as a big problem in the United States.
"While the EPA would like to see plastics as a whole recycled at a
higher rate, plastic bags as a specific commodity haven't been a huge
issue," says an agency official. He adds that the problems in Ireland
and Bangladesh occurred in part because those countries' waste
disposal infrastructures are not as advanced as that of the United
States."
From EHP Online (April 2003)
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2003/111-4/forum.html
===
SOME MORE COUNTRIES
===================
NEW ZEALAND
***********
"Residents of the Christchurch suburb of Halswell are lobbying
supermarket operator New World to ban disposable plastic shopping bags
at its redeveloped store. The Halswell store is being expanded and
refurbished, and the local residents' association wants New World to
take the opportunity to revamp its approach to shopping bags at the
same time. Halswell Residents' Association president Ron Fensom said
90 per cent of representatives at a recent meeting of Halswell
community leaders supported tackling New World on the issue.
Foodstuffs South Island owns the Halswell branch of New World.
Foodstuff?s main competitor, Progressive Enterprises (which owns
Countdown, Foodtown, and Woolworths supermarkets) plans to introduce
alternatives to plastic bags - probably a cloth bag - next year. The
Warehouse is already trialing cloth bags in its Nelson and Thames
stores and is now looking at extending their use to other stores.
Progressive Enterprises chief operating officer Richard Umbers
confirmed it is exploring several options, including cloth bags, a
biodegradable plastic bag, and American-style paper bags. It is also
looking at introducing charges for plastic bags to discourage their
use, in an effort to address mounting environmental concerns about
polyethylene bags."
From "Opposition to plastic bags." Counter Action (Dec. 2002)
http://www.counteraction.co.nz/news-0212.htm
Also read "Supermarkets look at plastic alternative," by Tara Ross.
The Press (2002) http://www.crra.com/rrarc/currentevents/supermarket.html
ITALY
******
"In 1989, Italy introduced a tax on plastic bags. Abandoned plastic
bags were an eyesore on Italian beaches and on the sea, and posed a
danger to dolphins who could swallow a plastic bag and die. The new
tax sought to have the price of bags better reflect the cost that they
imposed onto society and on the environment."
"By levying a tax of 100 lira (about 6 cents) per plastic bag on
importers or producers, the Italian government created a new signal to
the market economy - the cost of plastic bags was now greater compared
to alternatives. The tax was about five times as great as the
manufacturing cost per bag. From 1989 to 1992, the government took in
over 250 billion lira (around $150 million) through this tax."
From "Instruments for Change."
http://www.iisd.org/susprod/displaydetails.asp?id=148
ENGLAND
*********
"More than half of workers want Chancellor Gordon Brown to impose
"sin" taxes on disposable nappies and * plastic bags, * according to
a survey.
From "Sin" tax on nappies and fast food supported. Reuters. (March 5, 2004)
http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=29966
UNITED KINGDOM
****************
Bags for Life Program:
'Bags for Life' have now been introduced by all of the major
supermarkets. 'Bags for Life' reduce the packaging burden of the
supermarkets as they are a 'product' rather than a package. 'Bags for
Life' are made of hardwearing polythene and are purchased by the
customer. If a bag breaks, the customer can return it to the
supermarket for a free replacement. In 1998 Waitrose sold 2.5 million
'Bags for Life' which reduced the use of standard carrier bags by 70
million."
From "WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS." Wasteguide.org.uk
http://www.wasteguide.org.uk/scripts/azlisting.asp?action=4&id=268&subsection=5
SWEDEN
******
"In supermarkets there is a charge on both plastic and paper carrier
bags. To encourage shoppers to bring their own bags, many supermarkets
sell cloth bags.
From "International Relations." Lund University.
http://www.lu.se/intsek/luff/hbshop.html
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
*****************
"The Post Courier is offering K50 weekly over the next three weeks to
the person who comes up with the best idea for helping the National
Capital eliminate the unsightly plastic bags, which, as some people
say, has become the official flower of the National Capital."
From P.N.G. Gossip Newsletter - 24 Oct 2002
http://www.pnggossip.com/news/g021024.html#bags
EL SALVADOR AND JAMAICA
************************
"El Salvador is studying deposits for auto batteries, paper, *
plastics and packaging,* and expressed interest in a deposit scheme
for waste plastic packaging in a joint plastics initiative by the
Central American Community.
Jamaica is studying plastic packaging policy to target PET bottles,
PVC, * plastic bags * and wraps and polystyreme foam."
From "Recycling & Solid Waste in Latin America: Trends and Policies.
Latin America Getting Serious About Recycling." (Report Abstract)
http://www.raymond.com/promo_raymond-library/lacsum.html
GERMANY
********
"Germany and Sweden impose taxes on plastic bags....."
From "Bags full of trouble," by Vikki Leone. The Age (September 11, 2002)
http://www.education.theage.com.au/pagedetail.asp?intpageid=965&strsection=students&intsectionid=0
=
"Calls from listeners - relating experiences in Germany- user pays and
shoppers have to pay for plastic bags;..."
From "About a tax on supermarket plastic bags introduced in Ireland."
Radio Interview (May 2002)
http://www.pacia.org.au/Media/media44-RadioInterviewRePlasticBags.html
=
"One example is evident in the German grocery stores where employees
don't bag your purchases. In Germany, this is self-serve and you must
pay for the plastic bags."
From "Live and Learn" - The Experiences of ADG's International
Architectural Student Intern," by Serge Krall.
http://www.architectsdesigngroup.com/ADGWhatsnew.htm
YEMEN
******
"At a meeting organized by Deputy Mayor Abdullah Sonbol, Mayor of
Sana?a Ahmed Al-Kohlani announced Wednesday that bans against the
illegal manufacture and import of thin plastic bags were to be
enforced in the capital. Thin plastic bags, mainly black, are adding
to the solid waste management crisis of Yemen. The bags are widespread
and rarely recycled."
"According to an agreement dating to March 17, 2000 between the
private sector, the Ministry of Industry, NGOs, standardization and
environment authorities, the production and import of plastic bags
under 25 microns thickness were to have ended within four months of
the agreement. So far, the agreement has never been put into effect."
"In the joint meeting between the relevant agencies last week, it was
announced that illegal production facilities would be closed and the
distribution of the thin plastic bags would be strictly controlled.
Starting with a public awareness campaign and official announcements
in newspapers, producers are given a deadline of March 1 to change
their production standards or they will be shut down."
"Mahmoud Shadiwa, Deputy Chairman of the Environment Protection
Authority (EPA), welcomed the meeting, as plastic bag pollution is a
leading obstacle to environmental conservation. Plastic bag pollution
adds significantly to the polluting of watercourses, soil and other
landscapes, resulting in serious health problems for humans and
animals.
In a study supported by the Ministry of Water & Environment, the EPA
and the GTZ Solid Waste Management Project, Mr. Mohamed Shamsan,
General Director of Environmental Affairs and Mr. Hilal Al-Reiashi,
Deputy Director of Monitoring in the EPA summarised the existing waste
policy and agreements and outlined an action plan."
From "Capital Secretariat takes steps to end illegal production of
thin plastic bags," by Ellen von Zitzewitz. Yemen Observer (Jan 24,
2004)
http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:c3SymqWIWnkJ:www.yobserver.com/culture/culture.php%3Fissue%3D81+Sana%E2%80%99a+Ahmed+Al-Kohlani&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
(The above link is a cached link and will likely not work when I post
the answer. If that is the case, please cut and paste the title into
your search engine and click on the "cached" version)
BHUTAN
========
"Long known for its pioneering public policies, from outlawing plastic bags....."
From "Bhutan Wants To Ban Tobacco Sales," by Daniel Lak.
http://www.no-smoking.org/nov02/11-27-02-1.html
UNITED STATES
**************
Alaska
======
"Haines could join a growing list of 30 Alaska communities and several
countries worldwide that have instituted a ban on the distribution of
non-biodegradable plastic bags."
"Borough assembly member Debra Schnabel is working with Haines Friends
of Recycling to draft a proposed ordinance that she hopes to put
before the assembly by midsummer. "This isn?t something that?ll happen
overnight," she said."
"Schnabel said her efforts were inspired by a visit to Haines
Sanitation?s new composting facililty last month. The innovative
system was successful overall, but plastic bags fouled the process,
entangling the mixing knives and limiting oxygen circulation in the
digesting waste. Workers were forced to take extra steps to separate
plastic bags from the rest of the trash."
"Schnabel said the proposal she's developing would be limited to
commercial enterprises. "We can?t tell people what they can have in
their homes," she said. "What we can do is prevent, reduce or control
the type of plastic bag that gets circulated by grocery stores or
other businesses."
"According to the British Broadcasting Corp., four out of five grocery
bags distributed in the United States are plastic. Plastic is cheaper
and takes less energy to manufacture and ship than paper. The standard
white polyethylene sacks commonly dispensed by grocery stores and
restaurants are made from propane and butane, better known as liquid
petroleum gas. They take up to 1,000 years to break down."
...
Walker is working with the local grocery store to explore alternatives
to standard plastic bags. Approximately 100 of a new biodegradable
plastic bags recently offered at the store were snapped up quickly,
Shove said. Because prices are comparable to the polyethylene bags, at
just under three cents per bag, more have been ordered and are set to
arrive within two weeks. Paper bags, by comparison, cost eight cents
each."
"If customers continue to react positively, Shove said Howsers will
begin the transition to exclusive use of the biodegradable bags. "From
what we tried, it seemed to be a good deal," Shove said. "When we get
the cases, we?ll know for sure. If it works, we?ll do it."
They?ll have to if the ban becomes legislation, as the grocery store
and other shops in town will no longer be able to lawfully use
polyethylene bags for business."
From "Work begins to draft ban on bags," by Kristin Bigsby. Chilkat Valley News.
http://www.chilkatvalleynews.com/archive/2003-19-2.html
Michigan
==========
"Clinton Township residents won't be allowed to use clear plastic bags
for leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste. So they'll have to
fill smaller, 30-gallon brown paper bags -- which decay in landfills,
unlike plastic. That lets the organic waste decompose faster."
"The township's seven board members voted last week to ban plastic
bags for lawn debris, joining nearly all other Metro Detroit
communities."
"The only community left is Sterling Heights, and they are working to
get rid of plastic bags, too," said Tom Horton at Waste Management, a
refuse hauler based in Wixom. It owns the 600-acre Pine Tree Acres
landfill, the only landfill in Macomb County."
From "For leaves, it's paper not plastic -- Clinton Township bans
clear bags for debris," by Gene Schabath. The Detroit News. (December
1, 2002)
http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/for_leaves.htm
California
==========
"..in California, the state House of Representatives is due to take up
a bill this January that proposes imposing a 2-cent tax for each of
the estimated 10.8 billion plastic bags that Californians take out
from stores every year."
"California's proposed bill would aim to reduce the blight, but the
legislation is already under attack as unfair and impractical.
Supermarket chains are concerned about the extra calculation that
would be needed at check out to charge customers for each bag they
use. To do so, they claim, would require significant changes to their
computer-driven check-out systems."
"As an alternative, Murray says lawmakers are considering taxing
plastic manufacturers for every bag they produce and send to
California stores. Kevin Kelly, president of the California Bag and
Film Alliance explains his group is opposed to the tax due to concerns
that out of state or foreign bag manufacturers might avoid the tax and
then ship their bags to California stores. Kelly's group has put
together a proposal that would encourage the use of bags made from
recycled plastic and start a public information campaign to encourage
bag recycling and reuse."
"Recycling plastic bags has become an easier option now that demand
for the plastic has gone up with the growing popularity of plastic
lumber products, Kelly adds. But promoting recycling and reuse might
not cut it since the state in is dire need of new funds."
"Due to federal laws that call for eliminating plastic debris flow
into the marine environment, California will need to refit storm
drains throughout the state at a cost of some $300 million. Tax from
plastic bags could be a direct source of money for the project - as
the plastic bag tax in Ireland has been used for environmental clean
up."
From "Proposals to Curb Plastic Bag Use Gain Momentum," by Amanda
Onion. ABC News (Dec 9, 2003)
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/SciTech/US/plastic_bags_waste_garbage_031209-1.html
New York City/New Jersey/Maine
===============================
"When New York City considered a bill to tax plastic bags this fall,
the measure failed and was replaced with an initiative to begin
city-wide recycling of the bags."
"Meanwhile, some stores have taken the matter into their own hands.
Supermarket chains, including Shoprite, in the New York-New Jersey
area, and Hannafords, in Maine, offer a 2-cent credit for every
reusable bag a customer brings to the counter."
From "Proposals to Curb Plastic Bag Use Gain Momentum," by Amanda
Onion. ABC News (Dec 9, 2003)
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/SciTech/US/plastic_bags_waste_garbage_031209-3.html
A total US Ban is unlikely!
==========================
"Yet few think a tax, much less a ban, on plastic bags would take hold
in the United States. Our grocery stores strive to create a perfect
"climate of consumption," where nothing impedes the consumer from
impulse to purchase, explains Allen Hershkowitz, a recycling expert at
NRDC. "For stores, it's not just a cost issue; it's about them making
the customer's experience as convenient as possible."
From "It's Not My Bag, Baby!" by L.J. Williamson. OnEarth (Summer 203)
http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/03sum/bag.asp
==
I sincerely hope this extra information is helpful. I wish I could
have found more substance for many of these references, but, as noted
above, it is difficult enought to ferret out just one sentence
concerning various countries, let alone an entire article!!
If you have any further questions along these lines in the future,
please keep me in mind!
umiat
Google Search Strategy
------------------------
countries banning polythene
+polyethylene bags +ban
plastic bags banned or taxed
site:.se tax on plastic bags
+Brazil restrictions OR taxes plastic bags
+Netherlands restrictions OR taxes plastic bags
+Italy restrictions OR taxes plastic bags
+France restrictions OR taxes plastic bags
+Iran bans OR taxes on plastic bags
+Bhutan bans OR taxes on plastic bags
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