(MENAFN- The Peninsula) sanaullah ataullah |
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Alternatives of single-use plastic bags are getting popular in the country. Major outlets and shopping complexes are contributing greatly by introducing different types of eco-friendly bags made by papers, jute, cotton and biodegradable materials.
Celebrating International Plastic Bag Free Day which falls on July 3, the commercial outlets introduced new eco-friendly bags. In coordination with the Ministry of Municipality, a number of shopping complexes also running campaigns to educate visitors about the importance of alternatives of single-use plastic bags to protect the environment.
The Ministry of Municipality has allowed four alternatives to single-use plastic bags after banning their use in Qatar.
The alternatives are fabric bags (woven), paper bags, biodegradable plastic bags and reusable plastic bags.
In Qatar, it is prohibited for institutions, companies, and shopping centres to use single-use plastic bags for packaging, storing, presenting, trading, carrying, or transporting products and goods of all kinds.
Plastic bags should bear a code indicating their biodegradability, reusability, or recyclability, depending on their category according to the Decision of the Ministry of Municipality No. 143 of 2023.
The decision's details were shared by the Ministry on its Twitter handle on International Plastic Bag Free Day which is observed on July 3 to increase awareness about the detrimental effects of disposable plastic bags on the environment.
This day acts as a reminder for individuals, communities, and businesses globally to minimize their usage of plastic bags and explore more sustainable alternatives.
People, environmental groups, and organisations worldwide participate in diverse activities, workshops, and campaigns to educate the public about the consequences of plastic bags and encourage the adoption of reusable bags.
The Ministry of Municipality made tremendous efforts to reduce plastic bags. An effective legislative system was set up to protect public health, ensure environmental cleanliness and achieve sustainable development.
Other measures include the issuance of the decision of the Minister of Municipality regarding the regulations for using plastic bags. To implement the decision, the Ministry forged partnerships with the private sector – factories and companies educating them about the provisions of the decision.
Awareness activities are also being held at commercial complexes to educate visitors about the importance of using alternatives to single-use plastic bags to protect the environment.
Municipal inspectors are also carrying out inspection campaigns to curb the use of single-use plastic bags.
The Ministry of Municipality represented by Health Monitoring Sections of all municipalities has been implementing Decision No. 143 of 2022 regulating use of single-use plastic bags since November 15, 2022.
The decision prohibits shopping centres, companies and institutions from using single-use plastic bags, which should be replaced with eco-friendly and biodegradable bags.
Inspectors from Health Monitoring Sections at all municipalities conduct inspection drives of food outlets and shopping complexes to ensure their adherence to the conditions related to plastic bags in packaging commodities.
International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July 3, is a global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of plastic bags.
Plastic bags may seem like a grocery shopping convenience, but they are also a huge strain on the environment.