ENVIRONMENT: Cyprus mulls complete ban on plastic carrier bag use

One year after Cyprus banned the free distribution of plastic carrier bags by shops, their use has dropped by 80%, while the possibility of a complete ban is being considered, Environment Department official Elena Christodoulidou told CNA.

Regulations aiming to reduce plastic bag use have been implemented since July 1st, 2018 with shops charging customers 5-euro cents for each bag on request.

 “After this measure was implemented, a significant drop in the use of the thin plastic bags was observed, as the public accepted relatively easily this step and their use dropped to 80% when compared with the period before,” Christodoulidou said.

Asked how far Cyprus is from a full ban of single use plastic bags she replied: “The possibility of a full ban on plastic bags by way of a relevant amendment in the Packaging and Waste Packaging Act and the relevant regulations which concern plastic bags, is under review.”

And on the issue of single use plastics she said: “More measures are foreseen in future for plastics in general, in the context of the Republic of Cyprus’ compliance with a new directive approved at European level on the use of single plastics such as straws, food containers, cigarette buts, cotton buds etc.”

“For the time being, steps are underway to transpose the directive into the Cypriot legislative framework.”