How does Uzbekistan want to tackle the plastic bags plague?

The Ministry of Natural Resources of Uzbekistan is planning to carry out a series of works during 2023-2024 to prevent pollution with plastic bags.

From January 1, 2024, the production and sale of plastic bags with a thickness of fewer than 100 microns will be illegal. This does not apply to plastic roll bags and biodegradable farm bags.

The Ministry hopes that the measures will serve to reduce environmental pollution.

At present, there are 101 producers of plastic bags in the country. Bags make up the bulk of household and waste are generated in landfills. It is important to note that plastic bags are not biodegradable.

Plastic bags make up 7 to 10% of the waste produced by mankind. Light packages easily fly away from landfills under the influence of wind, and travel long distances, polluting rivers, forests and mountains, including settlements.