Market vendors still use banned plastic bags
The use of banned plastic bags at the Suva Municipal Market has not stopped, SunCity found. This week the SunCity team observed some salesmen going from kiosk to kiosk selling single use plastic bags.
The Suva Municipal Market is home to at least two plastic manufacturers who sell plastic bags from inside the market. Among the plastic bags sold were the ones recognised by the law to be specifically used as carry bags and others which were meant to be for pre-packing.
A vendor, Jai Kissun, said he used only plastic bags which were permitted under the law.
He said it was sad to see some vendors opting to use plastic bags which were not permitted to be used as carry bags.
A week ago, there was a surprise check by the Department of Environment, and it was found that there was awareness on the ban on single use plastic bags, among the vendors.
It was further found that the plastic which is meant for packing loaves of bread and bin liners, or small garbage bags were used as carry bags.
Nausori
Nausori Town Council chief executive officer Anurashika Bari said vendors in Nausori Market were told to immediately remove all plastic bags which were not to be used under the ban of single use plastic bags.
She said they found banned Styrofoam containers and had contacted the Department of Environment.
Vendors
Some vendors suggested that awareness time is over as the plastic ban has been in place for more than a year.
They suggest that enforcement agencies start fining people to deter the use of banned plastic.
The ban on single use plastic came into effect on January 1, 2020, with the aim to reduce plastic pollution of the ocean and land.