Every year, July 3rd is celebrated globally as International Plastic Bag Free Day. The main purpose of this ecological date is to raise awareness about the global dangers posed by polyethylene bags and to encourage the minimization of single-use plastic bag consumption.
According to sea-news.az unfortunately, most people use these bags only once before discarding them into the environment. Due to the severe consequences, approximately 127 countries around the world now regulate the circulation of plastic bags through legislation, and in some regions, their use has been completely banned.
Here are the key facts regarding the scale of global plastic pollution and current legal regulations in Azerbaijan:
- Impact on the global marine ecosystem: According to research, approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter ocean and sea waters every year. These wastes not only cause the destruction of fish and other marine life but also enter the food chain in the form of microplastics, posing a serious threat to human health.
- The “micron” ban in Azerbaijan: To ensure environmental safety, the production, import, and distribution of light-weight polyethylene bags with a thickness of up to 15 microns have been completely banned in our country since January 1, 2021.
- Paid bag system: To reduce the volume of plastic waste and accelerate the transition to reusable bags, a Cabinet of Ministers decree has mandated that as of February 15, 2023, polyethylene bags with a thickness of 15–50 microns must be provided to customers in supermarkets only on a paid basis as a separate product.
Despite international and local restrictions, polyethylene bags remain a global problem for our planet. On this notable day, we urge everyone to refuse single-use plastics and opt for more ecological alternatives for the sake of the cleanliness of our seas and ecological balance.
