Ministerial c'tee okays charge of NIS 1 per plastic bag

Bags for certain items will be exempt.

1 January 08 17:38, Lilach Weissman

The ministerial committee for legislative affairs yesterday approved a private members bill by MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) and MK Esterina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu) intended to reduce use of plastic bags. They propose mandating retailers to charge NIS 1 per plastic bag given to customers. The charge will be collected by tellers and will appear as a separate line on the bill.

Khenin and Tartman say that the bill is intended to reduce use of plastic bags and increase use of reusable bags made from environmentally friendly materials. Another purpose is to increase public awareness about development and environmental responsibility.

The bill will distinguish cases where the use of disposable plastic bags is necessary for reasons of convenience, hygiene, billing, and other purposes. For example, plastic bags used for wrapping fish, meat, poultry, and fresh produce will be exempted from the charge.

In the first six months after the introduction of the law, businesses may offer customers reusable bags for NIS 4.50 in order to encourage consumers to use them and to instill public awareness of the law.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 1, 2008

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