Production of biodegradable bags to resume

 Local manufacturers will restart the production of biodegradable plastic bags on August 4,  the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy (MMABE) announced in a statement  this evening.

The ministry also advised that supermarkets, shops, vendors and other suppliers can continue using 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 temporarily paused 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, say they 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 when they use biodegradable products these help protect the environment and safeguard the oceans and marine life. ( BT/MMABE)