Pakistan bans non-degradable plastic bags

Pakistan has announced that it has banned the manufacture, import, sale and use of non-degradable plastic bags. The ban covers all conventional and bio-based plastic bags and other plastic products, except those made from oxo-biodegradable plastic, according to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA).
In a statement, the Pak-EPA said: “This landmark step taken by the Ministry of Climate Change will have long term benefits to control spread of waste plastic bags and enable exporters to comply with the environment-friendly packaging demanded in the international market.
“Many countries in Asia, Europe and America have successfully controlled plastic waste by introducing oxo-biodegradable plastic technology. The technology is simple which neither needs alteration in machinery nor in the process.
“A small quantity of olefin based additive (1-3%) is mixed with the raw material (granules) to develop biodegradable properties in plastic. Plastic bags made with this technology if left in open air or water absorb oxygen.” (Packaging News, 1 February 2013).