Plastic bag charge to come into force from December 1

PLASTIC bags must be paid for from December 1, according to draft regulations currently before the Attorney-General’s office and expected to come into force by the end of this month.

The new Control of Packaging Waste regulations contain a raft of recommendations by the Environmental

Protection Department (EPD) on all types of packaging waste.

The new draft regulations aim to reduce the annual use of “15-50 micron” carrier bags to 90 per person by 2020 and less than 40 by 2025, but thinner plastic bags are not included. Mandatory prices for bags, which may also no longer be given out for promotions or campaigns, will be set by the Cabinet and updated every six months in consultation with sector representatives.

The Turkish-language draft, published on the department’s website, aims to minimise the production of packaging, establish a technical management system for its separate collection, re-use, recycling or recovery and prevent harmful dumping.

Reusable packaging will be promoted over single-use products, landfill of waste plastic will be prohibited and firms will be required to reduce its effect on the environment and public health. The cost of eliminating environmental damage will be borne by those responsible and recycling firms will require an EPD permit.

Regulation and monitoring will be overseen by the EPD and unrecyclable waste will be used for energy production.