Vietnam prohibits the production of plastic bags that are difficult to decompose

To limit the use of plastic bags, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to enact regulations prohibiting the production of non-biodegradable plastic bags with a thickness of less than 30 micrometers.

According to the Scheme on strengthening environmental pollution control by using non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2020, approved by the Prime Minister, the volume of plastic bags used at supermarkets and trade centers will decreased by 65% ​​compared to 2010.

In this project, plastic bags that are difficult to decompose in supermarkets, commercial centers and residential markets will be restricted to use in each period.

Limit the use of plastic bags at supermarkets and residential markets. (Illustration)

Specifically, from now to 2015, the non-biodegradable plastic bags used at supermarkets and trade centers will decrease by 40%, with the local market, the number of difficult-to-biodegradable plastic bags will only be reduced by 20%.

In order to limit the use of plastic bags, the Prime Minister also asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to issue regulations prohibiting the production of non-biodegradable plastic bags with a thickness of less than 30 micrometers (30µm), creating articles favorable conditions for the collection and recycling.

In addition, in order to recycle the volume of plastic waste, the Prime Minister also assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to collect and recycle 25% of the volume of plastic bags which are difficult to decompose in daily life.

In order to implement this scheme, the concerned ministries and branches, the People's Committees of the provinces and cities must take measures to classify sources of wastes at source, collect and recycle plastic bags which are difficult to decompose. ; Encourage the use of recyclable products from non-biodegradable plastic waste, especially in the construction of public facilities.

On the other hand, in the process of scientific research, environmentally friendly packaging products and bags will be strengthened to produce and use, develop infrastructure and services to collect and recycle plastic waste. It is difficult to decompose and use advanced technology to recycle hard-to-break plastic bag waste into useful products.

Along with that, the departments, unions and associations need to propagate and raise awareness for the community and businesses about the harmful effects of plastic bags that are difficult to decompose and encourage the use of friendly substitutes. with the environment for each household, in residential areas, markets, supermarkets, trade centers.

The project will also include educational content on the harmful effects of plastic bags that are difficult to decompose to the curriculum at appropriate levels.