The Fiji Fuel Retailers Association (FFRA) is preparing to introduce the ten cents surcharge for single use plastic bags on August 1 in seventy-five service stations around the country.

This is in support of Government’s national budget announcement.

Secretary for the Fiji Fuel Retailers Association, John Philp says that each year approximately 4.5 million single use plastic bags are used at convenience stores in the fuel service stations.

FFRA will be encouraging all its accredited members to go a step further by introducing biodegradable plastic bags for car owners and customers that purchase goods at fuel service stations.

The Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy that was announced in the 2017 – 2018 national budget is payable by a customer when provided a plastic bag from retailers that use a Point of Sale system and will be reflected on invoices and receipts.

The Bill to amend the Environment Levy Act 2015 states that the monies collected from the plastic bag surcharge will be channeled into the newly established Fijian Government Environment and Climate Adaptation Fund which will be utilised for funding environmental projects and activities.

Mr Philp said: “Convenience stores located at the seventy-five fuel service stations will introduce a social change campaign to inspire Fijians to utilise personal and reusable bags when shopping.

“Our messaging will focus on encouraging customers to completely ditch single use plastic bags that end up in our waterways which fish, turtles and other marine life confuse for food.”

The 2017 – 2018 national budget announcement is also consistent with the resolution of FFRA at its 2015 annual general meeting to explore pathways for the industry to reduce plastic pollution in the country.

Looking forward, FFRA is also exploring options to introduce recycling points in order to reduce the amount of single use plastic products which end up in our rivers and ocean.

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