TRNC to ban plastic carrier bags in 6 months

Supermarkets will no longer be permitted to supply plastic carrier bags in six months after the amendment made to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Law is published in the Official Gazette.

With the amendment made in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Regulation, which will come into force 6 months time, it is prohibited to give plastic bags with handles to the customers in paid or free markets.

The decision on the amendment of the statute, taken by the Council of Ministers pursuant to the authority given by the Environment Law, was published in the Official Gazette on Thursday last week.

According to the regulation, which will enter into force 6 (six) months from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, it is prohibited to provide any kind of plastic bags with handles (paid or free) to the consumer. It cannot be included in any promotion or campaign that will allow its free supply. Very light stemless plastic bags are exempt from this practice.