Page 40 - Plastics News October 2021
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INTERNATIoNAL NEwS
Spain To Ban Plastic Wrap For Fruits And Philadelphia Enforces
Vegetables Ban On SUP Bags
ingle-use plastic bags are banned in
SPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, effective
October 01, 2021 after several delays.
The City Council approved the ban in
December 2019 but its implementation
was delayed due to the impacts of
Covid-19 on the business community,
particularly small businesses. An
‘extensive’ education and awareness
period for its implementation began
on 1 July to help businesses prepare for
and comply with the law. There will also
be a six-month preparation period from
n the battle against plastic pollution, wrap, the draft decree is also considering 1 October to 1 April before the law is
ISpain has zeroed in on a new target measures to discourage the use of fully enforced. During this period, the
the plastic used to wrap fruits and plastic water bottles by encouraging the City Council will issue warnings for
vegetables in the supermarket. According installation of public drinking fountains failing to use compliant bags.The ban
to reports Plastic-wrapped produce will and the promotion of other alternatives, covers all single-use plastic bags made
be banned in the country beginning in El País reported. The decree may also from polylactic acid (PLA) created
2023, according to a decree currently begin reducing the number of plastic through a blown film extrusion process,
being drafted by the Ministry for cups passed out at public events from regardless of their thickness.It also
Ecological Transition, as sources familiar 2023 onward. Overall, the decree sets a prevents retails establishments from
with the matter said "[We want to] fight goal of reducing the number of plastic providing any paper bag that does not
the overuse of packaging in the most bottles sold in the country for drinks by contain at least 40% recycled content
effective way," a ministry spokesperson 50 percent by 2030 and for making sure or comply with the labelling criteria set
told El País, adding that plastic pollution 100 percent of packaging is recyclable.
"has exceeded all limits."Plastic packaging Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition
in Spain generates 1.6 million tonnes has met with both business leaders and
(approximately 1.8 million tons) of green groups to discuss the new measures.
plastic waste every year, according to Greenpeace's Julio Barea said that the
Ministry of Ecological Transition figures group approved of the plastic wrap
reported by The Local. Less than half ban, but was waiting to see how it would
of that is ever recycled. The plastic be applied. Overall, Barea said Spain's
waste used to wrap fruits and vegetables center-left government has not done
has been opposed by environmental enough to reduce plastic pollution. "We out in the law.The ban does not affect
groups both in Spain and abroad. Spain's drink plastic, we eat plastic and we breathe dry cleaner bags, bags sold in packages
move also follows French legislation plastic," Barea said. The new decree is containing multiple bags, those used by
that banned plastic wrap on fruits and also in line with recommendations made customers to hold perishable items for
vegetables, which will go into effect in the first ever review of the scientific purchase, bags used by pharmacists for
in January of 2022, as the Library of literature on marine litter in Spain, that prescription drugs or newspaper bags.
Congress reported. The Spanish decree says about microplastic contamination Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said,
follows the French law in only banning along the entire Spanish coast, and “Philadelphia remains committed to
plastic wrap for portions weighing outlined steps that international and advancing our environmental goals, and
under 1.5 kilograms (approximately 3.3 local governments,could take to reduce the ban on single-use plastic bags will
pounds.) In addition to banning plastic plastic waste. be an important step forward.
40 PLASTICS NEWS OCTOBER 2021 41 PLASTICS NEWS OCTOBER 2021