Bahrain to phase out non-biodegradable garbage bags

Director General of the Capital Municipal Council, Eng. Shawqiya Humaidan, stated that the municipality is currently renewing contracts with the suppliers to incorporate new eco-friendly and biodegradable garbage bags.

This comes in accordance with the Ministerial Resolution No. 11 of 2019 promulgated the Technical Regulations for plastic products, which will enter into force from July 21, banning all single use plastics bags across the Kingdom.

Ms Humaidan stated that though the transition to permanently ban single use plastic bags is set for 21^st July 2019 while the transition with regard to garbage bags will initially involve banning the import of non-biodegradable plastic bags to local markets.

A license manual for plastic products to manufacturers and suppliers so that the procedures are smooth and ineffective for manufacturers and suppliers as well as consumers has been issued by the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE).

A study conducted by SCE revealed that the transition to eco-friendly and biodegradable garbage bags will not affect the plastic products manufacturing sector in Bahrain.