Panama looking at end of plastic bags

NON-DEGRADABLE plastic bags in Panama supermarkets and warehouses could be part of history in Panama by next year    if a bill proposed  by  a deputy of the ruling  Panamenista party becomes law

Bill 136, which prohibits the use of  non-degradable wrappings or packaging is being advanced

By  Florentino Abrego, to reduce the environmental impact generated by the production, distribution, use and accumulation of non-degradable plastic material at  a national level with repercussions around the world on soils and seas.

“What is sought is to prohibit the use of non-biodegradable bags provided free of charge  in commercial establishments After their short term  use no isresponsible their  collection, treatment, reuse and final disposition,” said Abrego

According to studies, a degradable plastic bag takes two years to disintegrate, the

Biodegradable take 120 days to decompose and regular  bags take 300 years

The preliminary draft obliges and sets a deadline for operators to replace the

plastic packaging, which will be 12 months from the enactment of the law in

supermarkets, pharmacies and retailers, and 24 months after the enactment of the law in

Warehouses, wholesalers and the like.

Those who violate the norm will be sanctioned with fines of between $100 dollars and $1,000 thousand  along with the seizure of non-biodegradable transport bags, says the initiative.

The proposal  says  that money from  fines will go to an environmental and recycling training fund.