State agencies in HCMC must reduce single-use plastic items: Committee

From August 1, all state-run agencies in Ho Chi Minh City ought to cut down single-use plastic items in conventions, meeting, seminars and other activities according to a plan of the municipal People’s Committee issued yesterday.

State agencies in HCMC must reduce single-use plastic items: Committee
Specifically, from August 1, state agencies should have boiled water, or use recyclable and environmentally friendly items instead of single-use plastic water bottles, bags and straws.
From 2020, the municipal Department of Finance will phase out budget on purchase of single-use plastic items.
City authorities also asked supermarkets, commercial centers, convenience outlets and book stores to use environmentally-friendly bags by December, 31, 2020. Moreover, traders in traditional markets must cut back half of non-degradable plastic bags.
Supermarkets, commercial centers, convenience outlets and book stores should encourage consumers to use their degradable bags or distribute gratis environmentally-friendly bags to them.
Those bringing environmentally-friendly bags will enjoy discount or scores in their membership cards whereas those who don’t bring their own bags will pay more on shopping.
These places should establish a unit to collect used plastic bags.
The committee also required to include bad impacts of non-degradable plastic bags into curriculum as well as guideline on sorting out garbage in schools.
Additionally, city authorities planned to intensify collection and recycling of plastic items. Those who have good deed in fighting plastic litter will receive praise from the government whereas those throw plastic bags will get punishment.

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