Panama says adios to plastic bags as watchdogs standby

On Saturday, July 20 Panama became the first country in Central  America to ban the use of plastic bags in retail outlets to help reduce environmental pollution.

Supermarkets were doing a brisk sale of re-usable bags, on sale for as little as 70 cents.

It was a first step with other plans to limit single-use of plastic items like drinking straws and disposable cutlery. Panama environmental groups said they will present more bills to protect the environment.

Some 300 officials of the Consumer Protection Authority (Acodeco) were out across the country ensuring compliance with the new rules, and ready to level sanctions

Over 80 countries are planning similar steps.  Canada, for example, will prohibit the use of plastic bags, cigarettes, cutlery and plastic stirring sticks in 2021.

The objective is to eliminate harmful waste that damages ecosystems, especially marine life.