Plastic carrier bag use is down 80%
PLASTIC carrier bag use has fallen by up to 80 per cent since a 25 kuruş charge was introduced last month — but environmentalists say even thinner “fruit and veg” bags should not be given out for free.
Supermarkets saw average monthly spend on plastic bag supplies drop from 26,000TL to just 3,000TL while old stocks are used up after the new law came into effect on December 1.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said usage had fallen by between 70 and 75 per cent — a figure backed by the United Markets and Supermarkets Platform — while plastic bag makers Sunev said their sales had fallen by 80 per cent and that they were now selling “eco-bags”.
The new fashion for cloth or net bags saw social media swamped with photos this month of adults and children with ecofriendly bags from the likes of nature group Kuşkor, the Forever Friends Association, women’s associations and other groups, or sporting their own home-made creations.
Supermarkets Platform head and Dev-Pa Supermarket owner Tansel Nizam said: “You won’t see bags blowing down the street any more.
“Shops have given out thousands of alternative shopping bags for free, others are selling them and people have really taken to using their own bags.
“What’s important is that customers agree with this law and, despite some initial complaints about the charges, people do seem to support it.”
An EPD spokesman said that seven kuruş of the 25 kuruş charge for January would be paid into an environmental project fund via the Finance Ministry by March.
However Cyprus Turkish Biologists’ Union head Niyazi Türkseven said: “Every kuruş above the manufacturing price of plastic bags should go to the EPD.”
He added: “Our union has produced cloth bags and so have lots of other civil society groups and we want everyone to use net or cloth carriers.
“We must now stop this free handout of thin 14 micron plastic bags used for fruit and vegetables and increase the percentage of the environmental charge.”
The new law, which came in with a grace period until New Year’s Day during which no fines would be imposed for those breaching it, only applies to 15-55 micron thicker plastic bags.
Mr Nizam added that although customers thought they had been getting the bags for free, their cost along with other supermarket overheads like electricity, was factored into prices on the shelf.
“Most markets still have plenty of plastic bags in stock and we are all very pleased to see the reduction.”
A spokesman for Çatalköybased recycling pioneers Şah Marketplace said their recycling drive continued, plastic bag usage had plummeted and eco-bags were on offer priced at 5TL.
Girne’s Nusmar Supermarket, which also offers eco-friendly bags, announced this week that shoppers with their own bags would be given a 5 per cent discount on purchases, excluding alcohol, cigarettes, gas bottles and Koop milk.