In order to protect the environment from plastic pollution and save the natural resources, the Council of Ministry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has decided to amend the “Packaging and Waste Packaging Regulations” and to adopt a stricter measure, which will abolition of the disposal of the thin plastic carrying bag at the points of sale where the new regulation will cover all the points of sale, including home delivery.
This decision will be another decisive step towards definitively addressing the problem of environmental pollution from plastic bags. In addition, it will harmonize Cyprus with the general trend now adopted at European level for further reduce the use of plastic and ban certain of one use items, to protect the environment and save the natural resources.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr. Costa Kadi, who proposed the amend of the relevant Regulations, “the ban on the placement of thin plastic carrying bag at the points of sale will further raise awareness of citizens and especially the future generation around of the benefits of reducing the production of plastic waste in the protection of the environment and the human”.
By banning the disposal of the thin plastic carrying bag at the points of sale, the public will now have sole responsibility for transporting the products it buys in other ways. At the same time, there will be no possibility of notoriety, as it was observed that many sellers benefited from the charge of the thin plastic carrying bag, without the implementation of the relevant provisions of the legislation.
The new Regulations will enter into force after their approval by the House of Representatives.