PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS
Haiti bans import, production and marketing of PE bags and PS foam containers / Toronto city council could vote again on controversial bag ban
On 1 October 2012, it will no longer be possible to import, manufacture of market black polyethylene plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers, plates and trays in the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The move follows a decree issued by the country’s president Michael Martelly in August, news media report. The measure will not affect plastic bags used for potable water.
Although the government has been running TV spots for some time now to advise the public about the ban, experts are sceptical about its implementation – not only because the bags have become an integral part of life for many of the country’s poor, but also due to the fact that Haiti suffers from a range of other, more pressing problems, and many question whether the authorities will in fact be able to implement the ban at all. Another obstacle is the fact that the state has not made available any suitable alternative, such as biodegradable bags, for instance.
Although the government has been running TV spots for some time now to advise the public about the ban, experts are sceptical about its implementation – not only because the bags have become an integral part of life for many of the country’s poor, but also due to the fact that Haiti suffers from a range of other, more pressing problems, and many question whether the authorities will in fact be able to implement the ban at all. Another obstacle is the fact that the state has not made available any suitable alternative, such as biodegradable bags, for instance.
Canada: Industry comes out in full force against Toronto bag ban
Meanwhile, a lot further north, the bag ban issued by Toronto’s city council this June and due to take effect in 2013 – see Plasteurope.com of 29.08.2012 – could be repealed in a new session scheduled for early October. Since the measure was first passed, the city council has met with quite some opposition from industry group, including a letter from the Ontario Convenience Stores Association (Oakville, Ontario / Canada; www.conveniencestores.ca) asking that the ban be scrapped or else it will take legal action.
In another move aimed at repealing the ban, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA, Mississauga, Ontario; www.plastics.ca) on 24 September launched a new website dedicated to providing information on the advantages of plastic bags. Dubbed “All About Bags” (http://allaboutbags.ca), the site attempts to debunk some of the myths linked to plastic bags, the association said. Speaking to local media, a CPIA spokesman said the ban threatens the jobs of almost 11,000 people, about half of which are located in the greater Toronto area.
In order for the ban to be repealed, two-thirds of the city council will have to vote in favour of giving it further consideration. Such a move would then allow for an immediate debate at next week’s session, where representatives can decide whether to repeal the ban completely or change its current wording.
In another move aimed at repealing the ban, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA, Mississauga, Ontario; www.plastics.ca) on 24 September launched a new website dedicated to providing information on the advantages of plastic bags. Dubbed “All About Bags” (http://allaboutbags.ca), the site attempts to debunk some of the myths linked to plastic bags, the association said. Speaking to local media, a CPIA spokesman said the ban threatens the jobs of almost 11,000 people, about half of which are located in the greater Toronto area.
In order for the ban to be repealed, two-thirds of the city council will have to vote in favour of giving it further consideration. Such a move would then allow for an immediate debate at next week’s session, where representatives can decide whether to repeal the ban completely or change its current wording.
28.09.2012 Plasteurope.com [223463-0]
Published on 28.09.2012