Ukrainian Supreme Council has approved a bill «On abridgement of plastic bags circulation within Ukraine»
01.06.2021On June, 1 Ukrainian Supreme Council has approved a bill «On abridgement of plastic bags circulation within Ukraine» that forbids selling plastic bags since 2022. Th resolution was voted by 297 deputies. The law takes effect after signed by the President of Ukraine.
The key point – decreasing the demand for plastic bags use in Ukraine and, consequently, avoiding environmental pollution. This logic complies with the first stage of waste management – avoiding waste generation.
It means that in Ukraine disposable plastic bags are used limitedly. The law applies to shops, chemist’s shops, catering institutions and services. Namely, retail sale institutions, public catering and services are prohibited to use:
- superlight plastic bags;
- light plastic bags, thickness up to 50 micrometer;
- oxygen-degradable (oxygen-biodegradable) plastic bags.
There are nine months left to adjust and propose multiple-use analogues:
- multiple-use bags and pouches,
- paper bags,
- biodegradable bags.
All packaging that does not comply with new regulations must be withdrawn from circulation. It will be prohibited to distribute them afterwards, they’ll be subject to utilization. For distribution of these bags and inclination to use them Ukrainians must pay the fee, 1700 to 3400 UAH, for further violation — 3400 to 8500 UAH.
The barring does not apply to ultrathin bags up to 22,5 centimeters wide and up to 34,5 centimeters deep, up to 45 centimeters long, as an original packaging for fresh fish, meat, dry foods, ice. They are, though, to be banned since 2023, when replacement comes up.
Additionally, as a matter of compliance with EU regulations, labellings «bio», «biobag» and «biodegradable» are banned for non-biodegradable bags. Moreover, inclination to buy plastic bags will also be under ban.
Here are the voting results:
