Ban on less than 50 micron plastic bags at cashiers in shops in France - shift to biodegradable bags

05-Jul-16

A ban has been enforced on plastic bags distributed at cashiers in shops in France with effect from Friday, as the country makes the environmentally-friendly shift to recyclable and reusable biodegradable bags, as per FRANCE 24 with AFP. The measure came into effect July 1 and was passed as part of a 2015 energy bill. It bans plastic bags thinner than 50 micrometres from being distributed at cashiers regardless of volume, and regardless of whether or not the retailer charges customers for the bag.

Bakeries, butcher shops, grocery stores and pharmacies of all sizes, in addition to markets and supermarkets, will be obliged to enforce the ban. 5 bln plastic bags are handed out every year in France, while another 12 bln are used in the produce section of stores. A ban against plastic bags used for produce will go into effect January 2017. The only bags permitted by the new law will be “bio-sourced” bags, which are made of a blend of plastic and cornstarch or potato starch. If composted by consumers, these bags will decompose in water and in CO2. The cost of a bio-sourced bag is a few cents, compared to half a cent for a plastic bag. But most French consumers have had time to get used to the change, as large retailers over the past ten years have significantly lowered the number of bags distributed free at cashiers.