A new ban on plastic has been issued in Brussels, biodegradable plastics are not immune.

"ALWAYS A BAG IN POCKET!"Please bring your own bag!" ) the environment ministry in Brussels issued an appeal.

Brochure of "New plastic bag ban" in Brussels

In the Brussels capital region of Belgium, shops will completely ban the use of disposable plastic bags (plastic bags less than 50 microns in thickness and 1/1000000 microns in microns) from March 1, 2020, the Brussels Times reported. According to the Brussels Ministry of the Environment (Brussels Environment), even if plastic bags are derived from biological materials and can be composted at home, this is no exception.

It is reported that the ban applies to all shops in Brussels, and market vendors and street vendors are also under supervision. Inspectors from the Brussels Ministry of the Environment will carry out the inspection.

Shop plastic bag map | ngimage

As early as 2017, Brussels imposed a ban on plastic bags-first banning plastic bags at cashiers or paying for them, and then banning stores from using plastic bags as packaging bags.

For a long time, it has not been prohibited for consumers to use plastic bags to pack fruits and vegetables in bulk. With the arrival of the new order, this kind of plastic bags have also stopped.

Brussels aims to reduce white pollution and make the city cleaner through a ban on plastic bags. The authorities call on residents to bring their own packaging when shopping, which can be made of cloth, cardboard, stainless steel or glass, etc. At the same time, it is pointed out that some goods do not need to be packed, just put them in a handbag or backpack.

Vegetable shopping equipment instead of plastic bags, figure | Go zero waste

Local residents in Brussels have raised some questions and thoughts about the new plastic bag ban. The following is the response of the Brussels Ministry of Environment to local residents:

Q1: what are the benefits of the plastic bag ban on the environment and Brussels residents

According to research, a ban on plastic bags can greatly reduce the exploitation of natural resources and the production of plastic waste, and encourage people to have more respect for the environment. For the ban to be effective, we need to change our previous habits and behaviors (using new plastic bags every time we shop) and switch to eco-friendly bags (reusable bags).

Q2: what are the benefits of a ban on plastic bags for traders

In addition to showing a more positive attitude on environmental issues, from an economic point of view, the cost of producing and transporting plastic bags will disappear, and the storage space for plastic bags will be freed. Compared with plastic bags, environmentally friendly bags are more durable.

Q3: are disposable bio-based plastic bags and household compostable plastic bags also covered by the ban?

Some of them may not be petrochemicals, but they are still plastic bags and the core component is still a polymer. As a result, they are also banned.

Q4: what kind of bags should be provided to consumers

All reusable bags are fine. Only in this way can the impact of human way of life on the environment be reduced.

Q5: can you provide disposable paper bags to customers?

This ban applies to disposable plastic bags, so the relevant regulations are not binding on disposable paper bags. However, our goal is to avoid disposable use as much as possible in order to reduce the impact of our lifestyle on the environment.

Q6: are reusable bags more environmentally friendly?

If they are reused, yes. It makes no sense if they are only used at one time. Therefore, consumers' attitudes and behavior must be changed so that they will not use reusable bags as they did in the past.