Page 40 - Plastics News May 2019

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Mexico City passes ban on plastic Scotland launches 20p deposit

bags, utensils for drinks cans and bottles

exico City lawmakers have passed a ban on plastic onsumers in Scotland
Mbags, utensils and other disposable plastic items to Cwill have to pay a 20p
take effect at the end of 2020.The city of more than 9 deposit on every bottle or
million residents - with another 11 million in surrounding drinks can they buy from
areas - is known for a vibrant street food and carry-out shops under an ambitious
culture. It would give businesses more than a year to make new scheme unveiled by
the switch to biodegradable products. The ban on plastic the Scottish government.
bags would take effect in December 2020, or January 2021, The deposit return scheme,
includes such articles as non-biodegradable plastic bags, WKH ÀUVW QDWLRQDO VFKHPH
straws, cutlery, cups and coffee capsules, the legislature in the UK, will cover glass
said in a statement, calling them a "serious environmental and plastic bottles, as well as aluminium and steel
problem." Lawmakers say the measure is necessary to move drinks cans, sold from any shop in Scotland. It will
businesses toward more environmentally friendly products cover single use bottles ranging from a 50ml whisky or
and reduce the amount of waste the city generates. A vodka miniature to three-litre bottles of cider. Every
statement from the city’s congress did not mention what can or bottle in a multipack of beer, water or cola
penalties could be applied for noncompliance. Mexico's will also attract the 20p charge. It will include online
national plastics industry association has condemned a retailers too, with only restaurants and pubs selling
decision to ban plastic bags in the Mexican capital starting drinks for consumption on the premises excluded.
in December 2020 and plastic straws and cutlery and 6FRWWLVK JRYHUQPHQW RIÀFLDOV VDLG WKH\ GLG QRW \HW
know whether it would include mobile food or ice
cream vans. Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish
environment secretary, has refused to exempt small
shops from the new scheme, leading to immediate
protests from retailers, who are already affected by
minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks. Retailer groups
were furious that small corner shops would lose shelf
space to install return machines and have to oversee
refunds for every purchase. They indicated they would
lobby hard for exemptions once ministers publish draft
legislation later this year. Cunningham defended the
extent of the measures. She said international evidence
showed “a well-run, appropriately targeted scheme
could improve the environment, change attitudes
crockery from January 2021. Anipac added that it had
sought "on repeated occasions" to reach an understanding to recycling and litter, and support a more circular
economy.” Environment Secretary Michael Gove has
ZLWK GLIIHUHQW RIÀFHUV ZLWKLQ WKH FDSLWDO FLW\ V JRYHUQPHQW set up a consultation on raising the cost of plastic bags
with regard to the "bad handling" of solid waste.Its offer in England. The Morrisons trial will take place across
to make available technical studies and alternatives for
waste management had been ignored, it said, "and it's for VWRUHV LQ (QJODQG :DOHV 6FRWODQG DQG *LEUDOWDU 7KH
supermarket chain said reducing plastic was their
this reason that we condemn the fact that [legislators] customers' top environmental concern. Morrisons is
have listened only to the opinions of civil society, which introducing a reusable 20p paper bag as part of an
has resulted in this plastics ban." Legislators said they eight-week trial in eight of its stores.The supermarket
would now open debate on a spending package to help chain will also trial increasing the cost of its reusable
companies shift their production and use of plastics toward plastic carrier bag to 15p, in a bid to reduce the plastic
biodegradable materials. used by customers.

42
Plastics News May 2019 40