Environment/Science
Environment/Science
Japanese government plans to ban free plastic bags amid efforts to reduce waste - Reports

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 04 Jun 2019, 06:35 am Print

Japanese government plans to ban free plastic bags amid efforts to reduce waste - Reports

Moscow (Sputnik/UNI) The Japanese Environment Ministry is seeking to establish a law that would ban stores from offering free plastic bags amid plans to encourage recycling and reduce plastic waste, local media reported on Monday citing Environment Minister Yoshiaki Harada.

Harada said that, once enacted, the proposed ban on free plastic bags would apply to all stores, including supermarkets, drugstores and convenience shops, according to the NHK broadcaster.


At the same time, the retailers will be allowed to determine the price for plastic bags, NHK reported.


Last week, the Japanese government adopted a policy package aimed at cutting plastic waste ahead of the G20 summit, set to take place in Japan's Osaka later this month.