Myanmar extends ultimatum for stopping plastic bag production

The Myanmar authorities have extended an ultimatum to another four months for stopping plastic bag production under monitoring system, sources with Yangon City Development Committee said on Sunday.

The move came after companies, engaged in such production, made the request to the authorities which had set the end of November, a deadline for them to stop the production.

The authorities will monitor if the companies will abide by the policy of reduce, reuse and recycle of plastic over the extended period.

There is a total of 146 plastic industries in Yangon and disposal of used plastic bags in the city amounted to 200 tons per day.

Plastic bag production in Myanmar has dropped by half this year after the authorities banned using small and thin plastic bags in the first three cities of Mandalay, Bagan and Nay Pyi Taw starting four months ago due to environmental impact reason, according to a market survey.

The import of raw material for producing plastic bags has also decreased, merchants said.

The authorities have urged the public to re-use paper bag, cloth bag, banana leaf and tree leaf instead in packing things or food.

The program of creating plastic-free zones is also being extended to Myitgyina and Sagaing in northwestern part of the country, the earlier reports said.

Plastic production has been banned in Mandalay since 2004 and the prohibition on use of small and thin plastic bags in daily life followed in June this year.

Myanmar people have been widely and traditionally using small and thin plastic bags for packing things and even food in markets and restaurants as well as packing rubbish for throwing, building up a large amount of garbage daily for disposal.

Source: Xinhua