Banning plastic bags in Albania, citizens, businessmen implement decision

During an ATSH survey on Tirana markets and supermarkets, the removal of one-use plastic bags that fail to meet the conditions is noted.

Consumers who go to the market have carried cloth bags to put up their goods.

Mira, a 70-year-old from Tirana, says the <x0ved was fair, as even the bags being traded had a very weak quality. I've always used cloth bars to bargain for”.

And Andy, a young businessman, says that “since yesterday we've removed the one-use plastic bags and citizens come with cloth bags or buy bags that are within the allowed” standards.

This measure taken by the government aims to reduce harmful plastic for a clean environment that helps develop tourism and the country's economy.

Each year, some 3.2 billion plastic bags or about 26 thousand tons a year are used in Albania. The remains of plastic bags end up in the food we eat and the air we breathe each day.

Environmental risk has caused many governments in the world to become aware and react quickly in the last decade.

In this context, Albania's government has decided since June 1st 2022, production, import and use of plastic storage bags, as well as ox-degradable or ox-biodsegradable plastic bags to be banned by law.

The draft law, which envisions fines of up to 1.5 million dollars for importers, producers and plastic bag vendors, has been adopted in the country.