*** ----> Bahrain set for plastic bag ban | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Bahrain set for plastic bag ban

In line with the directives of the Government Executive Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the Kingdom will begin phasing out the use of plastic bags.

According to Supreme Council for Environment Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammed Bin Daina, the technical regulations for plastic products will come into effect on July 21, 2019. The order will regulate and phase out the use of plastic bags. The first phase will focus on single-use plastic bags as well as banning the import of non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Later phases will witness a permanent ban on the use of plastic bags at certain malls and supermarkets, Dr Bin Daina said. The SCE and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism are currently working on setting the implementation phase for the remaining plastic products. The official noted that the SCE will issue guidelines for manufacturers and suppliers on reducing plastic waste to ensure a smooth transition.

He underlined the results of the SCE’s intensive market research on Bahrain’s plastic production, affirming that switching to the production of degradable plastic will not affect production lines. Pointing out that the Kingdom has benefited from Saudi Arabia’s expertise in this field, Dr Bin Daina said: “The SCE has implemented measures to expand the number of recycling businesses by increasing the total number of recycling bins, thereby reducing plastic waste that ends up in landfills.”

He highlighted that 40 per cent of household waste is plastic, which can only be effectively reduced through prohibition and regulation.