[GreenYes] Re: Zanzibar bans plastic bags

["Raj" <ImageRaj@no.address>]

In 2002, Ireland imposed a 15-euro cent levy or surcharge on plastic
bags provided by stores and shops. It is estimated that this has
reduced the use of plastic bags by 90 per cent. The revenue raised goes
to an Environmental Fund which plans to spend 35 million euros on
recycling centres. The introduction of the so called PlasTax scheme has
been backed up by public awareness campaigns.


In Australia, IKEA put a 10 cent charge on its plastic bags while also
providing a re-usable alternative. It reports a 97 per cent drop in the
use of plastic bags.


In 2003 South Africa banned plastic bags thinner than 30 microns and
introduced a plastics levy some of which goes to a plastic bag
recycling company. It has witnessed a decrease in bag litter, a
reduction in the manufacture of plastic bags with some layoffs and a
growth in alternatives such as canvass bags.

 Kenya is proposing a ban on the 30 micron or less bags and a plastic
bag levy.

Kenya has also linked plastic bag litter with malaria. The bags, when
discarded, can fill with rainwater offering ideal and new breeding
grounds for the malaria-carrying mosquitoes. (not sure if we have any
studies conducted on similar link with the mosquitoes carrying West
Nile Virus ?)


http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=424&ArticleID=4734&l=en


Improper disposal of plastic bags has caused several hundreds deaths in
India/Bangladesh by clogging the storm drains that resulted in urban
floods last year. Several states in India/Bangladesh have since banned
the use of thin plastic bags (less then 20 microns).



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9085301/





Raj Lathigara


On Nov 8, 9:59 am, Gary Liss <g...@no.address> wrote:
> Apologies for Cross-Postings
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: pcost...@no.address
> >To: gaia-memb...@no.address
> >Subject: [GAIA]Zanzibar bans plastic bags
> >Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:01:48 -0600
> >From:
> >http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=38861&newsdate=08-...
>
> >Zanzibar Bans Plastic Bags
> >ZANZIBAR: November 8, 2006
>
> >ZANZIBAR - Zanzibar has banned the import and production of plastic bags to
> >protect its environment and tourism industry.
>
> >Just off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is on a
> >major route for
> >plastic bags heading for the east African mainland. It estimates more than 200
> >tonnes of bags pass through its port every month.
>
> >"We have to put the environment above everything," Zanzibar's Director of
> >Environment Ali Juma said. "Besides being an eyesore, plastic bags
> >are very damaging to land and marine life and we are already
> >threatened by the rapid pace of development."
>
> >Tourism is the backbone of the island's economy. Zanzibar has major problems
> >managing sewage and rubbish. Less than 10 percent of sewage is
> >treated and it can
> >get rid of only about a third of the 200 tonnes of rubbish produced daily.
>
> >"While it is environmentally sound to ban the plastic bags, the
> >government is going
> >to lose US$400,000 per month as revenue for bags on transit and
> >destined for the
> >local market," said businessman Salim Turky.
>
> >Pat Costner
> >P.O. Box 548
> >Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632
> >USA
> >Ph:  1.479.253.8440
> >Fx:  1.479.253.5899
> >--Gary Liss
> 916-652-7850
> Fax: 916-652-0485www.garyliss.com- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -


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