Romania to ban thin plastic bags

The Romanian Senate adopted on Monday, February 19, a draft law of the Government by which thin and very thin plastic bags with a handle will be banned in the country. According to the draft law, the introduction of such plastic bags on the local market will be forbidden starting July 1, 2018. Also, they will be banned from marketing as of January 1, 2019, local Hotnews.ro reported. The draft law also stipulates that, as of May 27, 2018, the Ministry of Environment will report on the annual consumption of thin plastic bags used for transport when providing the European Commission with data on the management of packaging and packaging waste. The Chamber of Deputies will also have to vote on this draft law. Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com