Plastic bag cost rise ‘not to affect consumers’

A 15 per cent increase in the cost of plastic bags is set to commence in approximately six months as a result of the transition from non-degradable to biodegradable plastic.

Speaking to Tribune, Chief Executive of Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) Dr Mohamed Mubarak Bin Daina revealed that the cost is applicable solely at the manufacturing stage and will not be borne by the final consumer.

 “Switching from non-degradable to biodegradable plastic increases the manufacturing cost by 15pc, which will be covered in full by manufacturers and store owners around Bahrain,” revealed Dr Mohamed. “The consumer can now be rest assured that the plastic bags they use on an almost daily basis has a minimal impact on the environment, and at no additional cost to them,” he added. The objective behind the implementation of this project is in order to regulate the import and manufacture of plastic products by identifying Environment, Health and Safety standards.

The use of plastic bags and other plastic products must thereby be optimised to ensure degradability once disposed of as Bahrain progresses to minimise such waste by limiting the consumption of plastics. According to a study conducted by the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), 171,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in Bahrain on an annual basis.

“The majority of that figure is disposed at Askar Landfill site, while less than 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste is exported and approximately 3,000 tonnes are currently being recycled locally,” stated Dr Mohamed.

The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) has urged the citizens and residents of Bahrain to become fully aware of the adverse impacts of plastic waste to our shared environment, in order to embrace the importance and necessity of this new legislation.

“The project implementation will begin approximately six months from now due to the World Trade Organisation process that Bahrain is committed to. In the meantime, the SCE remains active in encouraging voluntary initiatives to reduce plastic waste by pioneer companies, communities, schools, and individuals,” said Dr Mohamed.

“The SCE urges the citizens and residents of Bahrain to become fully aware of the adverse impacts of plastic waste to our shared environment, in order to embrace the importance and necessity of this new legislation,” he added.

The SCE has called upon the residents’ support of the Governments initiative in contributing to the protection of the environment by integrating certain simple choices into their lifestyle.