(Story by Evie Mitsidou Phillips)
One year after the implementation of regulations forbidding the free use of thin plastic bags, their use has dropped by around 80%, Environment Department Technician Elena Christodoulidou has told Cyprus News Agency, noting at the same time that the possibility of a complete ban is under review.
In statements to CNA and replying to a question on single use plastic bags, Christodoulidou recalls that regulations aiming to reduce plastic bag use have been implemented since July 1st, 2018 and had been approved by the House of Representatives in 2017.
She points out in particular that the provision concerns a ban of the free supply of the thin plastic bag and a charge of 5 cents plus VAT, by sellers who offer such bags at their shops.
“After this measure was implemented, a significant drop in the use of the thin plastic bag was observed, as the public accepted relatively easily this step and responded positively by a reduction in the use of the plastic bag which reaches a percentage of 80% when compared with the period before,” the Environment Department officer says.
Asked how far Cyprus is from a full ban of single use plastic bags she replies that that “the possibility of a full ban of the plastic bag by way of a relevant amendment in the Packaging and Waste Packaging Act and the relevant regulations which concern plastic bags, is under review.”
Replying to a question as to ongoing efforts on other single use plastics she notes that “more measures are foreseen in future for plastics in general, in the context of the Republic of Cyprus’ compliance with a new directive approved at European level on the use of single plastics such as straws, food containers, cigarette buts, cotton buds etc.”
“For the time being, steps are underway to transpose the directive into the Cypriot legislative framework,” she says.
