Page 35 - Plastics News April 2021

internAtionAL news

Nepal’s first step in reducing Singapore mulls charging

plastic waste- Clean Nepal2021 disposable carrier bags

o address the growing problem of plastic pollution in c h a rgi n g mod e l for
TNepal Kathmandu based company has introduced a A disposable carrier bags
biodegradable plastics bag and other items that degrade at supermarkets to cut the
within three months of disposal. Although this does not consumption of disposables
reduce the use of plastic, environmentalists say it is a is being worked on, said
first step in reducing the amount of garbage on landfill Senior Minister of State
sites, dumping sites and rivers. Biodegradable plastic for Sustainability and the
bags, garbage bags, straw, fork, spoon, grocery bags, Environment Amy Khor on
stand up pouches, cling film and even bubble wraps are Saturday (April 10). She was
now available from Jain Trading, or through Daraz and delivering her opening address
the CleanNepal2021 campaign. The Nepal government has at a presentation by the
tried and failed several times to impose a ban on single- Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE)
use plastic, and the throwaway items have clogged drains and the National Environment Agency (NEA), where
and rivers across the country. “Our primary aim at the
moment is to help switch from single-use plastic in offices, they responded to proposals by a citizens’ workgroup
household dustbins to a biodegradable alternative,” says in reducing the use of disposables. She said the MSE
Bunty Sethia of Jain Trading Concern. “Even though many and NEA will start public consultations to develop
people know about the dangers of plastic, eliminating the charging model for such bags. In a speech at the
it fully from our lives is difficult.”Sethia says that if workgroup in January, Dr Khor had explained why the
alert consumers start boycotting single-use plastic Government had not charged a fee for disposable
asking manufacturers and service providers to use the bags.The reasons included the need for plastic bags to
biodegradable variety, it could be effective in reducing bag waste responsibly and hygienically, the stringent
the solid waste management in Nepal. anti-littering measures here, and the cost impact on
low-income households. On Saturday, Dr Khor said
Singapore's steps towards establishing fees for carrier
bags in supermarkets will consider any potential impact
on low-income households. She said the Government
will consult supermarkets and members of the public
on the mode of charging, whether it is per bag or per
transaction. She gave examples of how it may cost
five cents or 10 cents per bag.She said the timeframe
needed to implement the charge will be considered,
as the industry would need time to adjust to this.
Dr Khor added there might be a need for legislative
Every year, nearly 2 million plastic bags are used once and amendments. The Government would also have to think
thrown away in Kathmandu Valley alone, making up 15% about where the proceeds from the disposable bag fees
of all garbage that goes to landfill sites or is burnt. Every would go to, such as towards environmental causes.
day, around 150 tonnes of plastic waste end up in Nepal’s Details of the carrier bag charge will be finalised after
garbage dump. Some cities like Ilam and Dharan have tried the public consultations. Currently, about 2,100 tonnes
to ban plastic bags altogether, but it has been difficult of waste per day is sent to Singapore’s one and only
to enforce. Others have banned the use of plastic below landfill, the man-made island Semakau, while most
30 microns in thickness that cannot be recycled. Clean household waste is incinerated to generate energy and
Nepal 2021, which has ‘Let’s Restore Nepal’s Beauty’ as more than 1,500 tonnes of ash.
its motto, is trying to spread awareness on environmental
health and provide alternative options to the consumers.

35 April 2021 Plastics News