Reddy Leads Spot Checks On Plastic Bags Ban

Spot checks on the use of single use plastic bags continued yesterday by the Minister for Environment and Waterways, Mahendra Reddy, and his team.

Mr Reddy visited a supermarket in Suva and the fish market at Bailey Bridge in Nabua.

There still seems to be confusion regarding the use of bags in the produce and meat section. Mr Reddy spotted the supermarket was still using strip bags less than 50 microns.

According to the supermarket officials, there was confusion at a forum which happened at the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission in Suva, where they were told that strip away bags were part of integral packaging.

This confusion was cleared on Friday afternoon by the Ministry of Environment permanent secretary, Joshua Wycliffe, that strip bags at the meat and produce section have to be thicker than 50 microns.

Mr Reddy said the supermarket should not sell single use plastic bags.

“They are allowed to use biodegradable bags. Strip plastic bags, which are above 50 microns and above, are allowed to be used,” Mr Reddy said.

“50 microns or less is not allowed to be used,” he said.

Mr Reddy was happy with the compliance at the Bailey Bridge fish market.

According to the law all plastic that forms an integral product package is allowed and this includes bread.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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