Page 34 - Plastics News January 2021

internAtionAL news

Oman outlaws single-use plastic NPE 2021 stands cancelled

bags
he “in-per s o n
Tcomponents” of NPE
he Environment Authority 2021, scheduled for May
T(EA) of Oman has reportedly 17-21 this year in Orlando,
confirmed the ministerial Florida (USA), have been
decision 23/2021 to ban single- cancelled, with the Plastics
use plastic shopping bags in the Indus tr y As s o ciatio n
country. Under this decision, (PLASTICS) citing safety
the country has banned concerns as a result of
shopping plastic bags starting Covid-19. The triennial NPE
1 January 2021. Violators will becomes the latest exhibition to fall foul of the global
be penalised an administrative pandemic, with the organisers determining, “after
fine between RO100 ($259) and RO2,000 ($5195). The fine extensive review”, that it is impossible to provide a safe
will be doubled in case of repeated violation. The ban on environment at that time and location.The organizers
single-use plastic shopping bags was implemented after a PLASTICS said in a statement that the ‘The Plastics
group of environmental studies proved its environmental Industry Association’ (PLASTICS) places the health
impact that affected human life, said Dr. Abdullah bin Ali and safety of our members, exhibitors, staff, and the
al Amri, chairman of the Environment Authority (EA). Amri attendees as its highest priority. After consultation
said in an interview, “Based on these studies and following with medical and legal experts, our Officers of the
discussions with partners in the public and private sectors, Board, the NPE executive committee, exhibitors,
it was decided on March 9, 2020, to impose the ban in and the association membership, the PLASTICS Board
Oman. All stakeholders were given as much as ten months of Directors decided, and we are announcing, the
to implement the decision.” Oman Observer quoted cancellation of the in-person components of NPE2021,
Environmental Affairs Director General Ahmed bin Zahir al scheduled for May 17–21, 2021, in Orlando, Florida due
Hinai as saying: “The authority will implement the decision to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. After extensive
to ban as part of the plan set by the authority to preserve review, it has been determined that it is not possible
the Omani environment from pollution and waste that to hold the planned event and also provide a safe
is harmful to the rich environment and wildlife.” Oman environment at that time and location, and therefore
implemented the ban following a group of environmental we must cancel the in-person show. While we are
studies which demonstrated the environmental impact disappointed by the circumstances that led to this
that affected human life. Article 1 prohibits companies decision, we know that the plastics industry is strong
and institutions from using single-use plastic shopping bags and resilient. Over the past ten months, it has been
that are used and disposed after single once in order to leading the transformation of manufacturing processes
preserve the Omani environment. Meanwhile, Small and and supply chain operations that deliver medical
Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country are urged to equipment and supplies to pharmaceutical companies,
benefit from the decision by manufacturing sustainable medical supply manufacturers, and healthcare workers,
alternatives, including paper bags and textile bags. The protecting first responders and frontline workers
Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has confirmed to against the coronavirus. PLASTICS has fueled the
offer reusable, inexpensive, and sustainable grocery advancements of tomorrow by creating a platform for
bags, made of paper, cotton, fabric and other organic technology and ingenuity. By bringing companies at the
materials, in some of the markets. However both citizens forefront of plastics manufacturing together in other
and residents have expressed concern over the lack of ways, PLASTICS will continue to provide opportunities
alternatives in the market. for the industry to unite to solve today’s needs and
reimagine how to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Plastics News Januar y 2021 34