Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, has said that, “single use plastic bags which choke marine life, should be banned or phased-out rapidly everywhere,” noting that, “there is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere.” The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro has heeded that advice and beginning today, July 16, 2010, Rio will begin enforcing its plastic bag ban, adding itself to the list of global cities and countries that have implemented a ban.
Although shops and markets will no longer be offering plastic bags there are alternatives available in the form of paper, canvas, and raffia (a palm that is similar to hemp). The hope is that people will move away from paper bags, which actually have higher environmental externalities than plastic bags (at least in the short term), and move towards reusable bags.
The unsustainable way of life we are currently enjoying will have to come to an end - whether by choice or by necessity and this is just one more step in Brazil's effort to lead the environmental revolution, which many, including myself, believe is inescapable.
Law No. 5502 goes into effect today after Governor Sérgio Cabral vetoed a Legislative bid to postpone the law from going into effect until January 2011. Also on Friday, the Ministry of Environment will visit supermarkets and shops to ensure that the new law is being enforced, although a first offense for non-compliance will only result in a warning and educational tips on how to enact the plastic bag ban. Beyond this first sweep, though, shops can expect a fine of up to US$20,000.
Although shops and markets will no longer be offering plastic bags there are alternatives available in the form of paper, canvas, and raffia (a palm that is similar to hemp). The hope is that people will move away from paper bags, which actually have higher environmental externalities than plastic bags (at least in the short term), and move towards reusable bags.
The unsustainable way of life we are currently enjoying will have to come to an end - whether by choice or by necessity and this is just one more step in Brazil's effort to lead the environmental revolution, which many, including myself, believe is inescapable.
And by the way, just the other day I saw a plastic bag floating in front of my window - on the 14th floor. It then was swept over Central Park before it disappeared from my view. I wonder how far it got... This is one of the main problems with plastic bags - even it you don't litter them, they don't stay in landfills.
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