(Stock Photo)

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy (MMABE) has advised that as of August 4, 2020, local manufacturers will restart the production of biodegradable plastic bags.

Supermarkets, shops, vendors and other suppliers may continue to use their stock of petroleum-based plastic bags until September 1, 2020.

During the month of April 2020, the ban on the sale and use of single use petroleum-based plastic bags in Barbados was stopped temporarily, to allow local manufacturers to make and deliver petroleum-based bags, as the biodegradable resin used in the production of allowable bags was in short supply on the world market, due to a lack of materials under the COVID-19 curfew.

Local manufacturers, who applied and were granted an extension by MMABE, said they had acquired sufficient amounts of the biodegradable resin and are in a position to restart the manufacturing by the agreed upon date of August 4.

Persons who go shopping with reusable bags are reminded to keep those bags in a hygienic condition at all times.

The Ministry looks forward to all interests creating a smooth transition, and Barbadians are reminded that when they use biodegradable products these help protect the environment and safeguard the oceans and marine life.

nya.phillips@barbados.gov.bb

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