Iraq’s Council of Ministers has approved a package of measures to reduce the use of plastic bags, to be implemented within six months of the decision.
Poly Bags
The measures include:
- A ban on the free distribution of plastic shopping bags
- A ban on their use in ovens (furnaces)
- A ban on their importation
- Replacement with biodegradable, environmentally friendly alternatives
- A business and trade licence fee on factories producing nylon bags
- Environmental service fees covering monitoring and environmental assessment of plastic bag producers, with part of the revenue earmarked for environmental projects and awareness programmes
A specialist committee is to be formed to develop mechanisms for supporting and encouraging sorting and recycling projects, the transition to paper bags, and investment in paper industries.
The Ministry of Environment will conduct awareness and educational campaigns on the risks of plastic bag use.
(Source: PMO)
