23/12/2020 10:32
Cyprus’ Cabinet decided to ban the availability of lightweight plastic carrier bag at the points of sale, and approved the relevant draft regulations that will be submitted to the House of Representatives for approval.
According to an official press release, the new regulations, cover all points of sale, including home delivery. After the approval of the regulations the public will have sole responsibility for transporting the products it buys in other ways.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, who proposed the amendment of the relevant regulations, the ban will further contribute to raising public awareness, especially of the next generation, about the benefits of reducing the production of plastic waste in protecting the environment and people.
The decision of the Cabinet is another decisive step towards the final solution of the problem of environmental pollution from plastic bags and harmonizes Cyprus with the general trend adopted at European level to further reduce the use of plastic and ban certain types of disposable, to protect the environment and save natural resources.
As of July 1, 2018 Cyprus banned the use of free plastic bags at checkout counters. According to the Ministry of Environment, the results from the implementation of this measure are particularly encouraging, since it is estimated that the reduction rate of the plastic bag exceeded 80%.