Page 33 - Plastics News January 2021

internAtionAL news

Vietnam and WEF’s Global Plastic Baltimore delays implementing

Action Partnership to tackle its ban on single-use plastic bags
plastic waste

he city of Baltimore has delayed implementing its
Tban on single-use plastic bags, citing economic
he Vietnamese Government has entered a partnership
Twith the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Plastic hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
Action Partnership to launch a new action platform. ban was supposed to take effect January 13, but not
Named the Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership will be implemented on July 9, 2021. Mayor Brandon
(NPAP), the platform aims to reduce the flow of plastic Scott said it’s not responsible to implement the ban
waste into the ocean. Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh right now because residents who are out of work and
Dung made the statement at a ceremony held by the local businesses are hurting due to the pandemic. In a
statement, the mayor said that he was fully committed
to enacting the ban on plastic bags. Mayor Scott also
said, “However, as we continue to face the health and
economic impacts of COVID-19, it’s clear that we need
more time to get the implementation of this ban right
for our businesses and residents.” Scott’s executive
order said the ban could be pushed back further, but will
take effect no later than 30 days after the expiration
of the governor’s coronavirus state of emergency. The
ban requires city shoppers to bring their own reusable
bags to stores, buy a reusable one, or pay at least 5
cents for each paper or compostable bag provided at
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE),
the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the World Wildlife checkout. The city had hoped to have thousands of
Fund (WWF) in Hanoi on December 23, 2020 to launch the reusable grocery bags to distribute to residents, but
Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP).NPAP had far fewer than expected when Scott took office
is a partnership between the Government of Vietnam,
represented by MONRE, and the Global Plastics Action
Partnership (GPAP), a platform for entities of the WEF
to realise commitments in reducing plastic pollution and
developing the circular economy. The NPAP launch has
affirmed Vietnam’s strategy of developing the economy in
parallel with protecting the environment and ecosystem,
with a standpoint of not sacrificing the environment for
economic growth, Deputy PM Dung said. A roadmap will
also be developed to help remove single-use plastic,
non-biodegradable plastic bags in cities, coastal tourist
destinations and marine protected areas. The road map is last month. Local business owners complained that
expected to be published in the coming months. Vietnam’s the ban, signed into law about a year ago, would have
Nature Resources and Environment Minister Tran Hong required restaurants and retailers to switch to paper or
Ha said: “We are looking forward to the contribution other bags at a time when many have closed and others
from the NPAP to support strategies, plans and schemes are operating with limited capacity because of the
for plastic waste management in Vietnam, facilitate pandemic. Paper bags, compostable bags, and plastic
meaningful initiatives in addressing plastic pollution and bags that are 4 mils or thicker, Compostable bags that
promote circular economic development in Vietnam and meet capable of undergoing biological decomposition
in the ASEAN. are allowed.

33 Januar y 2021 Plastics News