Consumption of plastic bags drops by nearly 70%

A decrease of 50-70% was registered in the consumption of plastic bags with handles and thickness below 15 microns after the introduction of a market fee of BGN 0,15 per item, announced the domestic association of manufacturers of plastic bags – the Bulgarian Association Polymers / BAP /. The introduction of the eco fee will raise the cost of these bags by a minimum of BGN 0.16. The objective of the Ministry of Environment and Water is to limit the consumption of thin plastic bags, which are polluting the environment. 

Only a few months later, there will be clarity on the extent of effectiveness of the measure of gradual increase of the eco fee and of the price hike of plastic bags, according to the Environment Ministry. As of the beginning of next year, the eco fee will increase to BGN 0.35 per item. The companies are targeting the production of twice as thick polyethylene bags worth BGN 0.2-0.3 since they are not levied with eco fee, explained Antoaneta Pernikova, CEO of the Association.

On the other hand, the production of plastic bags without handles registered a 15-20% growth, according to an inspection of Klassa daily among the large commercial chains. Their stores are offering plastic bags without handles. In fact, at the cash desk, the consumers prefer to buy the company’s branded bags instead of the small ones, which are more expensive. In some stores, the branded larger bags are even free of charge. The new cost of the plastic bags, used for purchasing vegetables and takeaway food, does limit their consumption.

Прочети цялата новина

Свързани новини: