Why we don’t need plastic bags

In 1994 Denmark became the first country in world that imposed tax on plastic bags at the national legislation.
After the introduction of coercive measures, taxes or restrictions at the legislative level, the consumption of plastic bags in country plummeting. By the way, in Ireland for several years it decrease by almost 90%. In addition, the plastic packaging tax is often used to fund recycling activities or other environmental initiatives. For example, in Japan, where there is a tax for sellers who distribute plastic bags, the highest level of plastic processing in the world is 77%.

According to experts, in countries where the use of packages is not regulated, its consumption is growing very rapidly. Currently, more than 40 countries have banned or restricted the production, sale or use of plastic  bags. Different countries use different mechanisms for regulating their production:

• the imposition of a "green" tax on free distribution in stores;

• cost increase;

• a ban on production and use (in order to purchase goods, customers must have

• reusable bags or bi-packs; for their part, stores are obliged to offer buyers only

• recyclable packaging of goods);

• use only environmentally friendly packaging;

• the penalties;

• preparation of environmental actions about the damage   of such bags for the environment;

• the alternatives of packaging.

Belarusian experience

The main problem in Belarus in this sphere  is that most of the collected plastic is not recycled. This is due to the large volume of formation of such waste, the lack of visual differences between the types of packaging, as well as its production from various polymeric materials - all this complicates the sorting. In addition, the plastic packaging after the loss of consumer properties can be contaminated with chemical and organic substances, which does not allow its subsequent use.

• In order to change the situation Belarus is necessary to:

• Impose the fees for all plastic bags;

• Prepare alternative for them, for instance, paper bags;

• encourage the use of reusable textile bags or bags;

• involve in the process of reducing the consumption of manufacturers;

• develop scientific research (production of biodegradable packaging, edible packaging wrappers).