Places Reducing Plastic Bags Use

February 19th, 2008 by Rosie

Beneath is a list of places, countries and communities, that are already taking action against plastic carrier bags, some with an outright ban and others by levying a charge.

In many of the African and Asian countries, they are taking the issue so seriously that they are not only banning the free distibution of plastic bags, but also the production, importation, sale, storage, distribution and even possession of plastic bags and there are strict penalties for violators. Those who commit an infraction face heavy fines and even imprisonment.

Rwanda – 2006

Uganda – 2007

Kenya – 2007

Tanzania – 2006

South Africa 2003

Zanzibar – 2006 – a $2,000 fine or imprisonment or both.

Paris -end of 2007

France – 2010

San Francisco – March 2007

Leaf Rapids, Manitoba – April ‘07

Coles Bay – Australia

Collingwood – New Zealand

Germany -charges approx. 30p for plastic bags at the till.

Finland – supermarkets charge levy on plastic bags used.

Denmark – tax on all packaging.

Bhutan-1999

Bangladesh – 2002

Bombay – August 2005

Taiwan – Jan 2003. Also disposable plastic cutlery, cups and plates.

Himachal Pradesh – just possession = prison or R25,000 fine.

Maharastra – banned manufacture, sale & use of plastic bags – 2005

Goa – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Sikkim – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Rajhastan – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Punjab – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Delhi – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Bangalore – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Darjeeling – Banned disposable bags irrespective of thickness – 2001

Modbury, Devon – 2007 – a vountary ban led by the retailers.

30 villages in Alaska including Emmonak, Galena, and Kotlik.

Japan – Draft plans made to forbid the free distibution of plastic bags.

London – 33 councils voted to ban them Nov. 2007 but have still to get it through the Government.

Australia – 2008

China – 2008