It is proposed to impose a ban on the import and production of plastic bags in Kyrgyzstan. The bill was presented today at a meeting of the Committee on Budget, Economic and Fiscal Policy by a deputy Marlen Mamataliev.
The bill proposes, from January 1, 2024, to ban the import of polymer film bags, with the exception of bags imported by citizens for personal use when transporting and packaging goods, personal belongings, transit movement of goods in sealed cargo compartments.
It is also proposed to ban the production of plastic bags, with the exception of bags that are produced for export, bags made of biodegradable polymer materials that do not have handles and are sold in rolls for household use.
According to the initiator of the bill, the whole world refuses the plastic bags, because they harm not only people, but also the environment.
«It is known that burning of such bags can lead to cancer. We admire our nature, but the plastic bags literally flooded tourist places — mountains, lakes. Besides, it would be possible to remain silent, if we had a processing plant. However, there is not any, and garbage is burned at all landfills. It cannot but harms the people. There are 406 landfills in Kyrgyzstan, only 107 of them are working. Yes, we cannot completely get rid of the bags, but they can be replaced with degradable ones, for example, from starch or other chemicals. They decompose in a few months. Some supermarkets have already switched to using them,» Marlen Mamataliev said.
